§ Mr. HENNIKER HEATON (Canterbury)I beg to ask the Secretary to the Treasury, as representing the Postmaster General, what is the length of the private telephone wire recently erected by the Postal and Telegraph Department between 2, Cavendish Square and 1, Chesterfield Gardens, Curzon Street; what is the estimated actual cost of this wire; and whether a rental of £19 10s. is demanded, payable annually in advance for its use?
§ THE SECRETARY TO THE TREASURY (Mr. R W. HANBURY,) PrestonThe length of the private line in question is nearly a mile and a-half. The circuit is double, and there are, therefore, nearly three miles of wire. The charge for wires of this description is not based on the actual cost in each individual case, but on a uniform tariff. But I have no objection to state for the hon. Member's information that the estimated cost in this case was about,£90. The rental is correctly stated by the hon. Member, and it is payable annually in advance. It includes the charge for two telephones and some additional apparatus.
§ MR. HENNIKER HEATONasked whether the Department charged 500 per cent. per annum on their outlay?
§ MR. HANBURYsaid that the proportion between the outlay and the charge made had not been worked out, and, therefore, he could not answer the hon. Member's Question.