§ Mr. NEWTONasked the Postmaster-General whether his attention has been called to the fact that at 7.45 p.m. every evening the Frinton-on-Sea telephone line to Walton-on-Naze is switched through to the Samuel Lewis Convalescent Home at Walton-on-Naze, and that thus subscribers to the telephone service at Frinton and Walton respectively are unable to communicate with one another; and what are the terms of the contract under which the whole benefit of the Frinton to Walton line is thus reserved exclusively to the Samuel Lewis Convalescent Home during a large part of each twenty-four hours?
§ Mr. HERBERT SAMUELI am aware that at night direct telephonic communication is practicable between the Samuel Lewis Convalescent Home at Walton-on-the Naze and the medical attendant of the home who resides at Frinton. The arrangement, however, does not deprive ordinary subscribers at the two places of the facility of telephonic communication at night over the Frinton to Walton line.
§ Mr. NEWTONIs not the right hon. Gentleman aware that the communication is viâ London from Frinton to Walton, two places only separated by five miles, it being 150 miles viâ London?
§ Mr. HERBERT SAMUELNo, Sir; I believe, as a matter of fact, that the sub-postmaster has to be called up viâ London to make the direct communication for subscribers to communicate along the direct line. I am making inquiry to see whether it will not be possible to make communication between the two places at night.
§ Mr. NEWTONWill the right hon. Gentleman answer the second part of my question?
§ Mr. HERBERT SAMUELI did answer it. I said the subscribers are not prevented from communicating at night.
§ Mr. NEWTONI asked the right hon. Gentleman an important question, and I ask him now what are the special terms of the contract under which the Samuel Lewis Convalescent Home has the advantage of the exclusive use of this telephone?
§ Mr. HERBERT SAMUELI have already answered twice that they have not the exclusive advantage of the use of the line.