HC Deb 25 February 1953 vol 511 cc216-7W
78. Lady Tweedsmuir

.asked the Assistant Postmaster-General the extent of the damage to telephone communications in Scotland, particularly the North-East, as a result of the hurricane on 31st January; how much has been repaired; and what yet remains to be done.

Mr. Gammans

Storm damage to telephones in Scotland was particularly severe. No less than 180 telephone exchanges and 10,000 subscribers were isolated. Two hundred and forty workmen were brought into this area from other parts of Scotland, from Northern Ireland, from Wales and from those parts of England not affected by the floods. Twenty-seven men were borrowed from the Army. Extensive temporary repair work has been done. By 17th February, all exchanges were working again. The number of subscribers still without service is now less than 700. They should be connected up again within the next week. Permanent repairs may keep up to 300 men occupied for about six months. I must warn the House that this extensive repair work may affect the telephone development programme for 1953.