§ Wing-Commander Cooperasked the Assistant Postmaster-General if his attention has been drawn to the excessive delays in obtaining trunk and other telephone calls and the consequent waste of national effort; and what action he proposes to take in the matter.
§ Mr. C S. Taylorasked the Assistant Postmaster-General why it now takes so long to get replies from the trunk and toll exchanges, respectively, in the London area.
§ Mr. BurkeI am aware of the present difficulties in obtaining an answer from telephone operators, particularly in the London area. The reason is an acute shortage of operating staff, combined with an increase of traffic since hostilities in Europe ended. The staff shortage is greatest in London. I am doing every thing in my power to obtain the necessary additional staff, and I have every expectation that with the end of hostilities, recruits will be forthcoming in larger numbers.