HC Deb 02 May 2002 vol 384 cc902-3W
Sandra Gidley

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, Local Government and the Regions (1) what plans he has to review back-up mechanisms in the event of a 999 telephone failure; and if he will make a statement; [54028]

(2) what measures are in place to ensure availability of 999 services in the event of failure in the local telephone network. [54029]

Dr. Whitehead

In addition to implementing contingency plans to restore the service, telephone companies liaise with the emergency services. The emergency services cover such circumstances with extra patrols, stationing vehicles at strategic points and advice through the media. Where possible calls will be transferred to another emergency service which should be in radio communication with the affected service.

Particular attention is paid to the resilience and robustness of the 999 service. DTLR manages a 999 liaison committee which brings together representatives of the emergency services and the telephone operating companies to consider issues affecting the service. This matter will be raised at the next meeting of the committee.

Mr. Andrew Turner

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, Local Government and the Regions if he will make a statement on the level of service of the Hampshire and Isle of Wight 999 services on Thursday 25 April with particular reference to(a) emergency service 999 calls, (b) the telephone landlines in Southampton and parts of the Isle of Wight and (c) back-up arrangements. [53893]

Dr. Whitehead

At 18.30 on Thursday a fault occurred in the equipment at the Southampton Bargate BT telephone exchange. Customers in Southampton and some in surrounding areas in Hampshire and Wiltshire were affected and experienced loss of service. 80 per cent. of customers had been restored to service by midnight and almost all others by 3.55 am.

During the incident the BT call centres that answer 999 calls quickly liaised with the emergency services and implemented contingency plans. BT's 999 call centres are outside of the Southampton area. BT connected those who could make calls beyond their local area to neighbouring emergency services in Dorset or Hampshire who contacted the local emergency services using radio links or other means. For those who could only make local calls and therefore not access BT's 999 call centre, the emergency services covered these areas with extra patrols, stationing vehicles at strategic points and keeping the public informed through the media.

Isle of Wight Fire and Ambulance Control Rooms were not affected and callers on the Isle of Wight would have been able to make 999 calls as they are routed via equipment at a building in Portsmouth, not the affected Southampton unit. In the case of a request for police assistance, calls were routed via the temporary links to Dorset police on behalf of Hampshire police.

BT have informed me that a detailed investigation has established that a number of crucial components failed at the same time.