§ Mr. Dalyellasked the Prime Minister when the new Government communications centre in Whitehall will be completed.
§ The Prime MinisterThere is no centre of the type described in the question.
The Central Computer and Telecommunications Agency (CCTA) is undertaking a number of enhancements to their telecommunications network, spread over a five year period.
The Whitehall central branch exchange (CBX) modernisation is in the second phase of the relevant five year plan. Eight new CBX area exchanges are being introduced between 1985 and 1990.
A large tandem exchange, the London tandem, is used to support the Government telephone network (GTN) and the CBX. This exchange will also be modernised with replacements in two stages, which are planned for 27 July and 23 November this year.