Telephone Exchange Equipment

HC Deb 19 December 1975 vol 902 cc891-2W

Mr. Golding

asked the Secretary of State for Industry if he will make a statement about future Post Office orders for telephone exchange equipment.

Mr. Varley

In October the Post Office gave to the manufacturers a revised ordering programme for telephone exchange equipment up to 1979. This includes a steadily increasing proportion of electronic TXE 4 and TXE 2 equipment. This programme has been discussed with the Post Office and it has also taken account of the views of the manufacturers and of trades unions in the Post Office and in the supplying industry. My conclusion is that the October ordering programme is consistent with the best current forecasts of the requirements of the Post Office and with the long—term interests of the supplying industry and its export prospects. It will be kept under review as the situation develops.