§ 64. Mr. Weitzmanasked the Assistant Postmaster-General the average time taken in the month of October, 1951, in establishing a connection requested on the Clissold Exchange; what steps are being taken to minimise the delay; and what progress is being made in transforming it from a manual to an automatic exchange.
§ Mr. Gammans39 seconds from lifting the telephone to beginning conversation; this is slightly better than the October average for London. Every effort is being made to ensure adequate staffing and so to improve the service. Equipment for an automatic exchange is on order and a new exchange building was begun last July, but a date for the transfer to automatic working cannot yet be given.