HC Deb 18 January 1993 vol 217 cc57-8W
Mr. Wilson

To ask the Chairman of the Administration Committee (1) if he will conduct a survey to establish the proportion of outgoing calls through the House of Commons telephone system which connect; (2) what recent changes have been made in the operation of the House of Commons telephone system; and what assessment has been made of its present operation.

Mr. Michael Martin

In accordance with a resolution of the former Services Committee, and with he agreement of the other place, the Palace of Westminster telecommunications exchange was improved during the 1992 summer recess to provide additional abbreviated dialling facilities and a "least-cost-routing" package which enables outgoing calls to be directed automatically by the cheapest supplier. Some problems with routing have been identified, but have all been rectified. A survey is therefore not considered necessary. Anyone experiencing difficulty with an outgoing call should report the fact to extension 4444. An immediate investigation of the problem will be made and the result notified to the caller. Any Member with a query about the telecommunications system itself should contact the Serjeant at Arms, who has administrative responsibility for these matters.

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