Mr. Gresham Cookeasked the Postmaster-General why it is impossible to make contact with a subscribers' telephone number in Deal in less than two or three efforts made by the operator at 100 in the London area, particularly in the evening.
§ Mr. Joseph SlaterI regret that the telephone service at Deal was poor at the time the hon. Gentleman put down his Question. This was because of unusually heavy evening traffic, together with a shortage of operators at the exchange and shortage of lines between Canterbury and Deal. I am pleased to say the situation has since improved.