§ Lord NINIAN CRICHTON-STUARTasked the Postmaster-General why his Department has raised the charge for the use of a telephone operator for private branch exchanges to £74 4s. per annum as against £45 10s. charged by the National Telephone Company?
§ Mr. HERBERT SAMUELI have no knowledge of the particular case mentioned in the question. The charges for operators supplied by the Post Office to 1559 work private branch exchanges are, however, necessarily higher than those imposed by the National Telephone Company in similar circumstances, owing to the higher rate of wages paid in the Post Office service. The operators are now entitled also to pensions, sick pay, and other privileges of established Civil servants. It is desirable that operators employed in private premises should be in the direct employment of the subscribers. Such operators can be trained in switchboard working, without charge, in the Post Office school and their working tested from time to time by travelling supervisors. As a rule, also, candidates can, if desired, be recommended for employment by subscribers.
§ Lord N. CRICHTON-STUARTCan private owners of telephone exchanges apply to the Post Office to have their operators trained?
§ Mr. HERBERT SAMUELYes, we shall be glad to train them, without charge, at Post Office schools.
§ Sir J. D. REESDo I understand that the transfer from the company to the Government implies a general rise in the cost of the service to the public?
§ Mr. HERBERT SAMUELA general rise in the labour charge, certainly.
§ Sir J. D. REESI mean a general rise in the cost to users?
§ Mr. HERBERT SAMUELSo far as labour is concerned. On the other hand, there is a saving in interest and other charges.
§ Sir J. D. REESWhat are the net results?