§ Mr. D. G. SOMERVILLEasked the Postmaster-General how long it will be before automatic telephones are in use on every exchange in the London area; and what changes he anticipates will be necessary in the telephonic operating staff numbers as a result?
§ Mr. LEES-SMITHAs regards the first part of his question, I would refer the hon. Member to my answer to his question in the House on 12th November last. As to the second part of the question, for the present, reductions in staff due to the establishment of automatic exchanges are counterbalanced by the normal growth of the existing manual system.