asked the Minister for Posts and Telegraphs if any of the manual exchanges mentioned by him in a reply of 29th March 1962 have not as yet been converted, or will not be converted, to automatic in the financial year 1962-63; and if he will give particulars of the manual exchanges which it is hoped to convert to automatic working during the financial year 1963-64.
Written Answers. - Telephone Exchange Conversion.
90.
I regret to say that unexpected technical difficulties which were experienced in the work of conversion have upset the whole programme envisaged in the reply of 29th March, 1962. Of the exchanges then mentioned only three, namely, Curragh Camp, Droichead Nua and Nurney, will have been converted to automatic working at the close of the financial year 1962-63.
Every effort is being made to eliminate the difficulties but at this stage it is not possible to give any firm forecast of the exchanges to be converted in the financial year 1963-64. So soon as such a forecast can safely be made I shall communicate it to the Deputy.