§ MR. BRIGGSasked the Postmaster General, Whether lie is aware that the Lancashire and Cheshire Telephone Company are desirous to open call offices in the various towns in their district, whereby for a small payment the public may converse with subscribers to the Telephone Exchange; whether he is aware of the existence of such accommodation in cities on the Continents of Europe and America, where the telephone is in use; whether the Postmaster General insists upon the Lancashire and Cheshire Telephone Company charging one shilling each time such facility is afforded; and, whether lie can see his way to so relax these terms as to enable the Company to afford the public the great convenience referred to?
§ MR. FAWCETTThe subject referred to in the Question of my hon. Friend has been for some time under careful consideration, and I regret that I am unable to sanction any smaller charge being made to the public for speaking in the manner proposed by the Lancashire and Cheshire Telephonic Exchange Company than 1s., the minimum amount now charged for an inland telegraph message.