asked the Postmaster-General if he is aware of the long delays at present being experienced by Romford subscribers in securing response from the Romford telephone exchange; and what steps he proposes to take to remedy this unsatisfactory position.

I regret that the quality of service at the Romford telephone exchange is not as good as I should like. This is due to shortage of trained operating staff and to the need for additional equipment. Vigorous steps are being taken to overcome both these difficulties and I hope that the service will shortly begin to show a steady improvement.

Is my right hon. Friend aware that the number of subscribers have taken a note of the time it takes to answer the bell, and have found that it is five minutes or more? Does he not agree that that is unfair to the subscribers and results not only in waste of time, but in some cases in serious loss? Will he press the exchange to give a better service?

I shall be glad if the hon. Member will let me have the facts.

asked the Postmaster-General whether he will arrange for an automatic register of charges to be attached to telephones, where desired, as is already in operation in Switzerland.

The use of a device of this kind is being considered in connection with the problem of extending subscribers' dialling beyond the present range of local calls.

Will the Minister consider installing a few experimental ones in this country before he makes a decision on the matter?

I say that we are considering the matter.

asked the Postmaster-General by what date the arrangements to extend the telephone exchange at Wainfleet, Lincolnshire, will be completed.

Equipment for the extension of Wainfleet exchange is now available and installation should be completed in about three months' time. I much regret the unforeseen delay.

asked the Postmaster-General whether he will hasten the laying of the new cable required to give a telephone service to the many residents of Birstall, near Leeds, who have been waiting for years for the installation of telephones; and when he estimates that this service will be provided.

Provision of this cable is being pressed forward as rapidly as possible, but, in view of the serious shortage of materials and of the many similar jobs to be undertaken in other areas in and near Leeds, I regret that I cannot quote a date for completion of the work.

asked the Postmaster-General if he has approved the arrangement whereby the manager of the local branch of the S.C.W.S. on the Island of Tiree takes turns of duty with his wife who is the official exchange operator at the island telephone exchange; and if he is satisfied with an arrangement whereby the local manager for this organisation has access to the telephone conversations of his business competitors.

It is not uncommon in rural districts for the telephone exchange to be operated by a local tradesman, and after fully considering the facts as regards the exchange on the Island of Tiree, I see no grounds for changing the present arrangements.

In view of the general dissatisfaction with the telephone service, may I ask whether there is any truth in the report that it is to be handed over to the Co-operative Society?