§ Mr. Masonasked the Postmaster General in which areas, and to what extent, the programme of conversion to subscriber trunk dialling has been delayed by the inability of equipment manufacturers to meet delivery dates and the inability of contractors to complete the installation of equipment by the required date, respectively; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mr. BevinsThe programme of conversion to subscriber trunk dialling is large and complex, and it is not possible to discriminate between the causes of variations in individual cases. Taken as a whole the programme is proceeding satisfactorily. I am glad to say that the forecast made inPost Office Prospects 1963–64 (Cmnd. 1972)—that two-fifths of the country's subscribers would have trunk dialling facilities by March, 1964 was in fact exceeded; the actual percentage was 43 per cent.