§ Dr. ADDISONasked the Postmaster-General whether he had decided upon the system of charges to be levied on users of the telephone after the transfer of the National Telephone Company's system to the General Post Office on 31st December, 1911; and, if not, whether, before definitely fixing a scale of charges, he would give opportunity for the whole question of control and charges to be considered by a Parliamentary Committee?
§ Mr. HERBERT SAMUELThere can be no question of fixing a new scale of charges for the use of telephones after the unification of the system until it is known what price is payable to the National Telephone Company for their plant under the arbitration by the Railway and Canal Commission which is to take place next year. I am not at present in a position to make any statement as to the holding of an inquiry into telephone rates subsequent to the issue of the arbitrator's award.