§ Mr. Kershawasked the Postmaster General why the telephone number at Didmarton 630 of the hon. Member for Stroud has been disconnected for six days; and why when callers inquire they have been informed by the telephone exchange that the number was in order but no reply could be obtained.
§ Mr. Edward ShortThe hon. Member's service was interrupted three times between 3rd and 6th May; once when a car hit a telephone pole and brought down the wires, and twice because, despite warnings, contractors damaged a cable at two points while putting in a new gas main. Repairs were made and service restored as rapidly as possible on each occasion. The faults were such that callers would hear ringing tone, indicating that the call had progressed beyond the hon. Member's exchange. Specific tests are necessary to distinguish between a customer's line which is in order, but is not being answered, and one where the bell on his telephone is not ringing, because the line between the exchange and his home has been interrupted, athough the caller hears the ringing tone. These tests would not be initiated unless the caller told his local operator that no reply had been received when one could have confidently been expected.
I greatly regret' any inconvenience caused by this unprecedented chapter of accidents.