§ 16. Mr. Brayasked the Minister for Posts and Telecommunications if he will dismiss the Chairman of the Post Office Board for failing to carry out his statutory duty regarding the provision of a reliable telephone service.
§ Sir. J. EdenNo, Sir.
§ Mr. BrayWill my right hon. Friend accept that the Chairman of the Post Office Board will find that a most reassuring reply? Is he aware that in certain rural parts—and this is since Christmas, of which we have certain memories—telephone communications have been out of commission one day in eight, which is not at all satisfactory? Is he further aware, to refer to correspondence, that the Post Office is using as an excuse for non-delivery of letters within my constituency the suggestion that the letters contained invoices which suppliers did not wish to pay, and that therefore those letters were lost? Does he realise that the Post Office is now recommending that a recorded delivery service should be used to overcome this difficulty.
§ Sir J. EdenI am aware of many of the difficulties to which my hon. Friend refers, and also his personal experience in this matter, for which I am extremely sorry. As he knows, these issues are the direct responsibility of the Post Office. I am sure that it is doing its best to provide a satisfactory service.
§ Mr. EnglishInstead of spending so much time talking about vandal-proof telephone boxes, will the Minister fix a target date by which everyone in this country can have a telephone, as is the case in some other countries?
§ Sir J. EdenThis is one of the main objectives behind the substantial additional borrowing permission which the House has authorised for the Post Office. It will develop from the improvement in exchange equipment, plans for which are now well advanced.