100. Commander Maitlandasked the Postmaster-General if he can now assess the damage to telephone installations in the north-east of England caused by the blizzard on 8th January; and if he is aware of the appreciation generally felt for the way in which the repair work has been tackled by all concerned.
Dr. HillIn North-East England. 96 small exchanges were isolated or lost the mains power supply, over 14,000 subscribers' lines were put out of action, 5,600 poles were broken or displaced and some 7,000 miles of wires were brought down. All exchanges were in service again within four days and less than a hundred subscribers are still without service.
I am grateful for the tribute to the Post Office staff concerned, and should like to express my own appreciation of their efforts and also of the valuable 189W assistance rendered by men of the United States Air Force and of the Eastern Command.