§ MR. NIELD (Middlesex, Ealing)To ask the Postmaster-General upon what principle the official charges for the telephone service in the suburbs of London are based; and why the Department are making a fixed charge of £15 per annum or thereabouts, plus message rate, for the use of a telephone in part of the northern postal district, and within six miles of Charing Cross; and whether there is any prospect of this charge being reduced, with a view to popularise the service.
(Answered by Mr. Sydney Buxton). The ordinary message rate subscription for a line to any exchange in the London telephone area outside the county of London is £4 a year, with a foe of 1d. for each call on the same exchange and 2d. for a call to another exchange. The unlimited service subscription covering communication with all exchanges throughout the London area is £17 a year. I am not aware of the circumstances of the particular case referred to by the hon. Member. If he will be good enough to furnish me with particulars of the case I shall be happy to make inquiry.