Mr. MacCALLUM SCOTTasked the Postmaster-General whether he has yet been able to establish any £3 telephone installation for the benefit of farmers and other rural residents; and, if not, when he expects to be able do so?
§ The POSTMASTER-GENERAL (Mr. Herbert Samuel)The low rate of £3 a year for rural party lines was based on the assumption that an average of three subscribers per mile of route would be obtained. A large number of localities have now been actively canvassed, and it is clear that more than two subscribers per mile cannot be hoped for except in a very few special cases. To meet this condition an increase in the charge will be necessary to cover only the direct cost of the lines and operating, without allowing anything for the general expenses of the exchanges with which the lines are connected, and I hope shortly to be able to offer a modified scheme of rates to meet the same conditions in different localities.
§ Mr. C. BATHURSTIs the right hon. Gentleman aware that farmers dislike the idea of prices quoted to them through the telephone for their produce being made known to their neighbours, and is that a necessary condition of such an installation?
§ Mr. HERBERT SAMUELThe party line system is a system in which several subscribers use one telephone line. The inevitable result of that is that conversations may be overheard. If farmers or other persons want the exclusive use of a single line they must necessarily pay for it at the ordinary charges.