§ SIR EDWARD SASSOONI beg to, ask the Postmaster-General if he is aware that no restrictions exist in France as 1407 regards the choice of telephone instruments; and, in view of the danger to health involved in the use of receivers insisted upon by the telephone company, will he take steps to allow the public the same freedom of selection as is allowed in France.
§ MR. SYDNEY BUXTONTelephone subscribers in France are required to purchase their own telephoneinstruments, and hence their choice is not restricted. The consequent lack of uniformity of apparatus and the great number of cheap and often inefficient instruments in use constitute one of the causes alleged for defects in the French telephone service; and I do not think that a satisfactory telephone service could be carried on in this country under such conditions. I am assured that there is no danger to health arising from the types of telephone officially provided in the United Kingdom.
§ SIR EDWARD SASSOONIs the right hon. Gentleman aware that the National Telephone Company absolutely refuse to allow persons to choose their own instruments?
§ MR. SYDNEY BUXTONI think they do so on the ground that the instruments they provide are the best in the market.