SIR GILBERT PARKERI beg to ask the Postmaster-General whether a charge is made for a trunk call on the telephone system if there is no response to the call; and how much that charge is.
§ THE POSTMASTER-GENERAL (Mr. SYDNEY BUXTON, Tower Hamlets, Poplar)A reduced charge, which is approximately one quarter of the ordinary fee, is made for a trunk call to which there is no response; but this charge is waived if it appears subsequently that the failure to respond was due to circumstances outside the control of the called subscriber. The charge varies from 1d. to 6d., according to the amount of the full charge for three minutes conversation.