§ Mr. SANDERSONasked the Postmaster-General whether his attention has been drawn to a resolution passed by the Association of the Chambers of Commerce of the United Kingdom and by certain county councils, including the Westmorland County Council, to the effect that a Parliamentary inquiry should be held to 36 take into consideration the question of the future control and rates of the telephone system before the policy of the Post Office is formulated and announced to the public; and whether he will consider the advisability of instituting such an inquiry?
§ Mr. HERBERT SAMUELMy attention has been drawn to the resolution referred to, and I have conferred on the subject with a deputation from the Association of Chambers of Commerce. I dealt fully with the question in my reply on the 27th of February to a deputation representing a large number of local authorities, a copy of which I will send to the hon. Member.
§ Mr. SANDERSONMay I ask the right hon. Gentleman whether there will be any opportunity given to this House to consider these rates before they are finally fixed upon by the Department?
§ Mr. HERBERT SAMUELThe question of the rates for the use of the telephones will not really arise until after the award of the arbitrators, who will settle what price is to be paid to the National Telephone Company for their plant. There will, of course, be an opportunity for discussion on Vote for the Postmaster-General's salary.