§ 60. Mr. Maxwellasked the Postmaster-General what immediate plans he has to stop delays and overloading and increase the capacity of the Bedford Telephone Exchange.
§ Mr. Joseph SlaterI am sorry that the service is unsatisfactory because of overloading and staff shortages which make it necessary for manually-handled calls to be booked at very busy periods. To minimise the delays temporary positions are being fitted for booking calls, and should be ready in about three months. Operators are being brought in from other exchanges. Permanent relief should be given in about July by the introduction of automatic working on incoming calls, mainly from London. The practicability of a switchboard extension is being examined.
The capacity of the automatic equipment is being enlarged by several mobile units which should be ready from July onwards. These will enable service to be given progressively to customers now waiting. For the longer-term, a new building is being erected for a replacement exchange which is expected to be ready, with STD facilities, during 1967.