HL Deb 16 May 1972 vol 330 cc1275-8
THE EARL OF CROMARTIE

My Lords, I beg leave to ask the Question which stands in my name on the Order Paper.

The Question was as follows:

To ask Her Majesty's Government, in view of the fact that the telephone service in the Northern Highlands and Islands of Scotland is unable to cope with the greatly increased traffic that has resulted from extensive industrial developments, when the recommendations of the Postmaster General's Working Party that full S.T.D. should be installed throughout the area will be implemented.

LORD DENHAM

My Lords, the planning and installation of Subscriber Trunk Dialling is a management function of the Post Office which has the responsibility for running the nation's telecommunication services. As a measure of progress, I understand that 89 per cent. of its telephone customers in Scotland now have S.T.D. facilities enabling them to dial practically all their calls. Those still without S.T.D., whether they are in Scotland or elsewhere, should have these facilities by the end of 1974.

THE EARL OF CROMARTIE

My Lords, while thanking the Minister for that completely unsatisfactory Answer, may I ask whether he is aware that buildings erected for the installation of these S.T.D. machines are deteriorating through not being used, because the machines are not there? Can he say whether the installations which were intended for the North of Scotland have been diverted to other places, such as the South-East of England, by the headquarters of the Post Office in London?

LORD DENHAM

No, my Lords. These are all matters for the Post Office.

THE EARL OF LAUDERDALE

My Lords, bearing in mind that these matters are for the Post Office and that the Minister's function is to pass the buck, may I ask whether he will answer this question? Will the exchanges which are being established in the North of Scotland allow sufficient space for expansion to take care of the industrial development which is arising from off-shore oil exploration?

LORD DENHAM

My Lords, I understand that the Post Office is taking into account the possible expansion in the North of Scotland. The noble Earl said that I am passing the buck, but I would remind your Lordships that we passed the Post Office Act 1969 and that that Act stated that these are now matters of the day-to-day running of the Post Office.

LORD SHACKLETON

My Lords, is the noble Lord aware that it is open to Parliament to debate the conduct of a nationalised industry, and that if he insists on giving such unhelpful replies to his noble friends we shall have to insist upon such a debate?

LORD DENHAM

Yes, my Lords; certainly I am aware that it is up to noble Lords, if they so wish, to debate the running of these bodies. But certain matters must be for the day-to-day management of the Post Office.

THE EARL OF LAUDERDALE

My Lords, will the noble Lord accept that I should not wish to embarrass the Deputy Chief Whip of my own Party, nor himself personally? But is he aware that, if it is not a question of passing the buck, it is at any rate a question of shouldering responsibility for the overall running of the Post Office, which concerns every citizen in this country?

LORD DENHAM

Yes, my Lords. Of course my right honourable friend has overall responsibility and can obviously make representations to the Post Office. But if he does that too much it will not give the Post Office Corporation a fair chance to run its affairs.

LORD HUGHES

My Lords, while accepting that it is proper, as the Minister suggested, that he should not concern himself with matters of day-to-day running, will he, having regard to the answer given to the noble Earl, accept that it might be reasonable to ask a question of the Post Office on matters which appear to be not of day-to-day, but of year-to-year?

LORD DENHAM

My Lords, it is always open to any noble Lord to ask a question, but it is also open to whoever is answering to make up his own mind whether something is a matter of Government responsibility or a matter for the Post Office.

LORD PARGITER

My Lords, will the noble Lord confirm that at the moment it is possible for any noble Lord to write direct to the Post Office, if he so wishes, in order to get an answer to his question?

LORD DENHAM

I thank the noble Lord. That is absolutely right.

LORD SLATER

My Lords, is the noble Lord aware that the introduction of S.T.D. shows progress, to the advantage of the telephone user in this country? Is he also aware that even to-day it takes at least three to four years to erect and put into operation a telephone exchange to meet the high demand from prospective telephone subscribers in this country?

LORD DENHAM

Yes, my Lords. Certainly, the noble Lord, Lord Slater, appreciates the difficulties.

LORD CONESFORD

My Lords, have the Government made any estimate of the demand from this part of Scotland for horoscopes from Birmingham?

LORD DENHAM

No, my Lords. That, too, is a matter for the day-to-day running of the Post Office.

LORD LEATHERLAND

My Lords, is one of the reasons for this delay the fact that the Post Office is now ordering telephonic equipment from Sweden instead of from British firms?

LORD DENHAM

No, my Lords.

LORD TREFGARNE

My Lords, can the noble Lord say whether the Post Office has any statutory obligation to reply to inquiries from Members of your Lordships' House?

LORD DENHAM

My Lords, I should be very surprised if the Post Office did not reply to any inquiries, whether they were from Members of your Lordships' House or from elsewhere.

THE EARL OF LAUDERDALE

My Lords, is the noble Lord aware that letters addressed to the Post Office very often do not get a reply?

THE LORD PRIVY SEAL (EARL JELLICOE)

My Lords, I suggest to noble Lords that this particular telephone call should now go dead.

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