HC Deb 05 November 1973 vol 863 cc596-7
11. Mr. Rost

asked the Minister of Posts and Telecommunications what is the average delay time for the placing of telephone calls from the United Kingdom to European Community countries.

Sir J. Eden

Delays vary greatly from place to place and with the time of day. An average figure would not, therefore, have much meaning. If my hon. Friend has any particular difficulties in mind, he should take them up with the Post Office.

Mr. Rost

I am grateful for that reply because if confirms the complaints that I have been receiving from businessmen in the East Midlands that delays there are longer than average. Would my hon. Friend bear in mind that some of the firms that are trying to do business with the Continent are being seriously handicapped by long delays? Could this please be looked into?

Sir J. Eden

Yes, certainly.

Mr. Lipton

On the matter of overseas telephone calls, will the Minister ask the Post Office to desist from that form of advertising on commercial radio which consists of a man with an American accent asking a telephone operator several times a day to be put through to Chicago in one second flat?

Sir J. Eden

Advertising is a matter for the daily management responsibility of the Post Office.

Mr. Greville Janner

Is the Minister aware that, however difficult it may be to get through to Western Europe, it is an absolute disgrace when one tries to get through to Eastern Europe? The delays in getting through to the Soviet Union are very serious and his own operators are to be congratulated on their enormous patience.

Sir J. Eden

They will appreciate that tribute from the hon. and learned Gentleman.

Sir John Tilney

Has not the delay been accentuated by the reversion this winter to Greenwich Mean Time?

Sir J. Eden

I had not thought of that one.