§ 102 and 103. Mr. Woofasked the Postmaster-General (1) in view of the fact that equipment, including cables, is obsolete in the telephone service in the Whickham area, Durham, when this equipment was last renewed; what plans he has for replacing it; and over what period he plans to replace it;
(2) how many complaints from the public have been received about the telephone service in the Whickham area, Durham, in the last five years.
§ Mr. Joseph SlaterI am sorry that the quality of service at Whickham exchange has suffered in busy periods due to congestion. The exchange is overloaded, not obsolete, and had to be closed last May to new residential subscribers.
An extension, which will fill the existing buildings, is due for completion by mid-1967, by which time the 34 applicants now waiting should have been connected. A building extension to take further equipment is being planned.
I will write to my hon. Friend in answer to his detailed enquiries.
§ Mr. Woofasked the Postmaster-General (1) what plans he has for expansion of the telephone system to provide services to the new housing estates in the Whickham area, Durham;
(2) if he is aware of complaints about breakdown and crossed lines in the telephone service in the Whickham area, Durham; and what steps he will take to improve the service;
(3) how many people are on the waiting list for telephones in the Whickham area, Durham; of these how many are waiting for private or shared lines, respectively; and what is the average period for which people in that area have to wait for telephones to be connected.
§ Mr. Joseph SlaterI would refer my hon. Friend to my Answer to his other Questions today.