§ Mr. Dudley Smithasked the Postmaster-General why, when the hon. Member for Warwick and Leamington rang directory inquiries from the House of Commons at 9 p.m. on 7th July and gave the full name of a resident in Hockley Heath, Warwickshire, the operator refused to help unless given the full address and put the telephone down.
§ Mr. Joseph SlaterI regret that the hon. Member had difficultly. Normally a number can be traced when the full name and sufficient address information is given to identify precisely the person required.
§ Mr. Dudley Smithasked the Postmaster-General whether he is aware that the telephone service no longer provides an adequate directory inquiry service for subscribers and that the attendants are brusque and unhelpful; and what he proposes to do to improve the situation.
§ Mr. Joseph SlaterNo. We aim to provide an efficient and helpful directory inquiry service, and as I said in reply to the hon. Member's Question on 10th July, there are relatively few complaints. We continue to improve the service while containing costs.x2014;[Vol. 786, c. 315.]