Abstract: A method for signalling that a called telephone line in a telephone system will not be answered during an incoming call. Each called telephone line has a no answer mode. Incoming calls to a called telephone line in the no answer mode are coupled to a no answer trunk which transmits a distinctive no answer tone to the calling line. The no answer mode for a telephone line is activated by transmitting a no answer command code from the telephone line to a central control. All incoming calls through the central control are screened to determine whether the no answer mode of the called telephone line has been activated. A central control computer contains line information associated with each telephone line coupled to the central control. Each line information segment includes a field which indicates whether the associated telephone line is in the no answer mode.