HL Deb 11 February 1981 vol 417 cc199-200

2.45 p.m.

Lord Gridley

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 heavy investment projected for the British telecommunications system, what plans exist to improve the invariably difficult telephone communication between the West Country and London by public telephones.

The Minister of State, Department of Employment (The Earl of Gowrie)

My Lords, this is a matter for the Post Office. However, I understand that although the quality of service between London and the West Country is generally good, difficulties in communications may arise on certain lines during busy periods as a result of congestion. Work nearing completion on the trunk route between Yeovil and London should lead to an early improvement in service on that route.

Lord Gridley

My Lords, while thanking my noble friend for that Answer, may I ask him whether the Government are satisfied that the heavy investment earmarked for British Telecoms is being, or will be, used by them to the best advantage? Is he aware that early in January on four different occasions when dialling London from four different telephone booths I got the engaged signal, not from the number dialled itself but from the point of entry into London? May I also tell him that when I telephoned the operator she confirmed that she, too, was unable to get London for the same reason, in spite of giving me every assistance in the difficulties that I experienced?

The Earl of Gowrie

My Lords, I was not personally aware of the difficulties experienced by the noble Lord, but the point of these very large sums for investment is to ensure improvement, and British Telecommunications is engaged in a major replacement and modernisation programme with that money. Therefore, I would have thought that that would give the noble Lord a better service in the future.

Lord Gridley

My Lords, in view of reports in the press today that 77,000 red telephone boxes are to be repainted yellow, may I ask whether it would not be better to use the money to be spent in that connection for improvement of the service?

The Earl of Gowrie

My Lords, I agree with my noble friend, and I earnestly implore the Post Office to abandon this ridiculous scheme.