§ 19. Mr. Roderickasked the Minister of Posts and Telecommunications if he will give a general direction to the Post Office Board to improve the quality of telephone connections.
§ Sir J. EdenNo, Sir. The Post Office already has such an obligation under Section 9(2) of the Post Office Act 1969.
§ Mr. RoderickIs the right hon. Gentleman aware that there is considerable disquiet at the increasing incidence of crossed lines? Is he aware that last week when I dialled a call I found myself listening in to a conversation between one of my hon. Friends and one of his constituents? This is not an isolated example. Is not the right hon. Gentleman concerned that we on this side of the House may be listening in to his conversations?
§ Sir J. EdenThe statistics available show that substantially the greater proportion of calls are made successfully the first time but the fact remains that perhaps in one's individual experience one always feels that one is on the side of those who do not succeed in achieving that. Section 9(2) of the Act states clearly that in providing this service the Post Office shall have regard
…to the desirability of improving and developing its operating systems;and it is engaged in doing just that.