HC Deb 04 November 1912 vol 43 cc866-7W
Mr. JOYNSON-HICKS

asked the Postmaster-General the number of subscribers' stations, direct exchange lines, and main exchanges, taken over from the late National Telephone Company, Limited, at the 1st January, 1912, and the number of subscribers' stations, direct exchange lines, and main exchanges existing on the General Post Office telephone system at the 31st December, 1911, for London and for the provinces, respectively?

Mr. HERBERT SAMUEL

The figures asked for are approximately as follows:—

POST OFFICE.
Exchange Stations. Direct Lines. Exchanges.
London … 79,835 53,208 30
Provinces … 39,160 30,334 1,125
118,995 83,542 1,155
NATIONAL TELEPHONE COMPANY.
London … 131,506 74,827 62
Provinces … 393,934 297,608 1,545
525,440 372,435 1,607

Mr. REMNANT

asked the Postmaster-General the number of foremen employed on outside line construction taken over from the late National Telephone Company in London and the provinces, also giving the number of foremen who have been placed in a grade where the wage they are now receiving is above the maximum of that grade in London, and the number of men in receipt of wages in excess of the maxima of grade in the provinces?

Mr. HERBERT SAMUEL

The total number of foremen employed on outside line construction transferred from the National Telephone Company is 557, of whom 101 in London and 179 in the provinces are in receipt of pay greater than the maximum of the class in which they are placed. The men in question will, however, be allowed, as a personal concession, to rise to the same maximum as they would have reached if the company had continued in existence.

Mr. MacVEAGH

asked the Postmaster-General whether the question of opening an exchange and call office at Down-patrick has yet been decided by the postal authorities; and, if so, what the decision is?

Mr. HERBERT SAMUEL

I am not yet in a position to say whether the provision of an exchange and call office at Down-patrick is warranted. The inquiries are, however, being expedited, and I hope to arrive at an early decision.