§ 143. Sir W. Teelingasked the Postmaster-General whether he is aware that 12 months ago half of Brighton telephone subscribers were switched to subscriber trunk dialling and that the remainder were to obtain it in 12 months; and why the waiting subscribers have now been told that equipment will not be available for at least three more years.
§ Mr. Joseph SlaterThe plans for bringing S.T.D. to the nine exchanges serving the Brighton locality have not been changed. About half the subscribers were given the facility in September, 1964, and a further thousand in May, 1965. Provision for the remainder depends on the replacement of some obsolete exchanges in the period up to 1970.
§ 144. Sir W. Teelingasked the Postmaster-General why it took Brighton telephone subscribers only 15 minutes on average to contact Western Europe before the switch over to subscriber trunk dial- 298W ling but now takes one and a half hours for those not on subscribed trunk dialling.
§ Mr. Joseph SlaterBrighton subscribers all receive the same attention on calls to Europe regardless of whether or not they have S.T.D. facilities. Telephone service with most Western European countries is good; some delays are now occurring due to heavy seasonal pressure and staff shortage but the service today is not inferior to that given two years ago as suggested by the hon. Member.