Mr. MITCHELLasked the Postmaster-General whether his attention has been called to the fact that when making trunk calls telephone subscribers are frequently kept waiting for long periods, sometimes exceeding 10 minutes, after being told by the operator to hold on; and whether any instructions are given to operators, 407W and, if so, of what nature, as to how they should advise a subscriber when they find themselves unable to obtain the required trunk connection as quickly as expected when first demanded?
§ Major TRYONTelephone operators are instructed that when dealing with a trunk call which cannot be established immediately they should advise the subscriber at the end of 30 seconds that they are trying to connect him and should repeat the information if necessary at the end of a further 30 seconds. If after a total wait of about 90 seconds the connection cannot be established the subscriber should be advised that the trunk lines are still engaged and that he will be rung up later. If my hon. Friend has any specific cases in mind in which these instructions have not been acted on, I should be glad to have inquiry made if he will furnish me with particulars.