§ Captain BRASSasked the Postmaster-General whether he is aware of the grave annoyance caused to telephone subscribers in the London area by the growing practice at exchanges of cutting the line, without warning, in the middle of conversations; and whether this is due to an increased volume of traffic on these lines or to some fault in the system of connecting and disconnecting subscribers?
§ Mr. HARTSHORNIn view of the large number of calls dealt with in the complex London service, some premature disconnections are inevitable, due to electrical faults, accidental disturbance of connections and faulty operation at subscribers' private branch exchanges. The telephone service is under continuous observation and the number of such interruptions is relatively very small. If the hon. and gallant Member has in mind any314W particular installation where exceptional trouble of this nature occurs, and will give me particulars, I will have it tested.
§ Mr. D. HOWARDasked the Post master-General whether he is aware that considerable inconvenience is caused to telephone subscribers by the practice of cutting off the subscriber in the event of his quarterly account not being promptly paid; that in some cases the notice given to the subscriber is only three days after the receipt of a final demand; and whether he is prepared to alter this practice for the benefit of subscribers who may be abroad or out of London?
§ Mr. HARTSHORNA second or final notice is not sent until 21 days after the first application, and the service is not, in actual practice, withdrawn until seven days after the issue of the final notice. Where it is known that the subscriber is abroad or out of London, special consideration would be given to the case. A considerable amount of unnecessary labour and expenditure would be saved if subscribers would pay their telephone accounts on receipt of the first application, but I find that in over 28 per cent. of the accounts the first application is ignored.
§ Mr. SPENCEasked the Postmaster-General why premises were chosen, and an attendant appointed, for the telephone exchange at Cockburnspath, Berwickshire, without being advertised?
§ Mr. HARTSHORNThis course was adopted because the work of installing the exchange at the post office was already in hand, when, on grounds of ill health, the sub-postmaster found himself unable to undertake the work. It was thus desirable to secure premises near by to avoid delay in opening the exchange and extra expense in shifting the wires.
Mr. T. THOMSONasked the Postmaster-General if he is aware that already there has been considerable delay in the installation of a telephone service at Marton, near Middlesbrough, which is seriously inconveniencing business people of that town who live there; and will he expedite matters so that this exchange may be opened next month?
§ Mr. HARTSHORNI am aware that, owing to a series of difficulties, there has been unfortunate delay in the opening of this exchange. But I anticipate it will be opened next month.