§ 106. Sir T. Beamishasked the Postmaster-General whether the inadequacy of the Palace of Westminster exchange is due to undermanning, inadequate equipment or some other cause; and what steps he proposes to take to improve efficiency to the highest level.
§ Mr. BennI am sorry that the staff of the switchboard in the Palace of Westminster are not always able to deal with calls as promptly as I would wish. This is due to increases in the demand for calls to and from the House, especially at peak periods.
Space has not hitherto been available to extend the switchboard, but an extension is now possible and will be completed by March, 1966. For the longer term, I have arranged for a specialist study of the telecommunications requirements of the Palace of Westminster.