§ Mr. DAYasked the Postmaster-General whether he can state from the observations made during the six months ended to the last convenient date if there has been any improvement as regards quickness and accuracy of connection in respect to the automatic telephone exchanges in the London area; and can he give the results?
§ Mr. LEES-SMITHThe observations taken during the six months from August to January last indicated a general improvement, despite temporary disturbances inevitably created by the opening of new automatic exchanges—eight in number—during that period They showed a decrease in the average time elapsing between the lifting of the receiver and the ringing of the called subscriber's bell and in that taken by the operator to answer calls when her assistance was sought. They showed also an increase in the percentage of calls satisfactorily completed at the first attempt.