§ MR. HENNIKER HEATONI beg to ask the Secretary to the Treasury, as representing the Postmaster General, whether any arrangement has been come to between the Government and the National Telephone Company for equal charges for telephones and telephone services in London; and whether the Government or the Postmaster General has now abandoned the intention to enter into competition with the National Telephone Company, as indicated in the speech of the late Secretary to the Treasury.
§ MR. AUSTEN CHAMBERLAINNegotiations are in progress between the Post Office and the National Telephone Company with a view to secure the greatest possible facilities for telephone users in the London district, and in particular free intercommunication between all subscribers on either system within that area. These negotiations are not yet completed; and it is not possible for me to make any further statement upon them at present.