Mr. Rathboneasked the Postmaster-General what particular difficulties are being experienced in providing an efficient and reliable telephone service in the neighbourhood of St. Germans, Cornwall; what steps have been, or are being, taken to overcome these difficulties; and from what date subscribers on the St. Germans exchange may expect reasonable continuity of service?
§ Sir W. WomersleyThe difficulties at St. Germans exchange are due to the exceptionally exposed nature of part of the exchange area. In order to remedy this a new exchange is to be provided for part of the area and this will enable the present lengthy subscribers' lines to be shortened. I am afraid that the new exchange is not likely to be ready for service before the end of the year, but in the meantime every effort is being made to reduce faults to a minimum.
Mr. Rathboneasked the Postmaster-General to what extent the maintenance of efficient and reliable service on existing lines has suffered as a result of the in-crease in demand from new subscribers to the telephone?
§ Sir W. WomersleyThe great demand for telephone service in recent years led to some plant congestion, but the comprehensive records which are taken416W regularly show that the standard of service suffered very little and is now returning to normal.