HC Deb 04 November 1965 vol 718 cc231-2W
Sir Knox Cunningham

asked the Secretary of State for Defence if he will take steps to see that the central telephone exchange in the Ministry of Defence is aware of the extension numbers of the private offices of the Ministers of Defence for the Royal Navy, the Army and the Royal Air Force, respectively, in order that honourable Members may be able to get in touch with such Ministers without undue delay.

Mr. Healey

Staff of the telephone exchange in the main building of the Ministry of Defence already have details of the extension numbers of the private offices of the Ministers of Defence for the Royal Navy, the Army and the Royal Air Force, and every effort is made to ensure that hon. Members who ask for Ministers by name or by title are connected to the appropriate office without delay. I regret, however, that delays sometimes occur owing to pressure of traffic and shortage or inexperience of operator staff.