§ Mr. Jewsonasked the Postmaster-General if he is aware that telephone subscribers in country districts frequently have to wait 20 minutes or more for a connection owing to getting no reply from the local exchange, and if he is taking steps to remedy this state of things.
§ Captain CrookshankAlthough the average speed-of-answer has inevitably deteriorated in war-time conditions, the majority of calls are answered by the exchange within 10 seconds and only a very small percentage are kept waiting as long as 30 seconds. Sufficient staff and plant to maintain a good service are provided as far as possible but, during war-time, deficiencies due to shortage of labour or materials do arise. Continued attention is given to these matters and substantial improvement in the service has been effected during the past few months.