§ 50. Mr. FELLasked if arrangements can be made for subscribers to the telephone in the London district to receive an account each week, or at some other stated times, showing the number of calls and how the amount is made up, instead of the present most unsatisfactory system under which claims are made upon the subscribers which it is not possible to check, and which in many cases are believed to be incorrect?
§ Mr. HERBERT SAMUELTo render detailed accounts at frequent intervals for local calls would considerably increase the 1260 cost of the service, without any corresponding advantage to subscribers. Such a practice would probably indeed be widely resented. In this connection I would refer the hon. Member to the answer which I gave on 5th August to a similar question asked by the Noble Lord the Member for the Newton Division of Lancaster, in which I explained the steps taken to secure accuracy in the charges and to investigate complaints.
§ Mr. LEEIs the right hon. Gentleman aware that he gave a written undertaking only a few days ago that any subscriber would be furnished with details of his account at any time on application, and does he now proposed to withdraw that application?
§ Mr. HERBERT SAMUELNo, Sir, not at all. If any subscriber chooses to apply the account will be furnished to him in as full a condition as possible.
§ Mr. HERBERT SAMUELYes, Sir, the number of calls will be stated as read from the automatic meters which record them.
§ Mr. HERBERT SAMUELYes, I have seen them myself frequently.
§ Mr. R. GWYNNEWill the right hon. Gentleman consider the advisability in future of having the dates put on the receipts for payments made, as the present system of omitting dates leads to confusion?
§ Mr. HERBERT SAMUELYes, I will consider that.
§ Mr. WATTWill the improvement of showing the number of calls in the account be extended to the large cities throughout the Kingdom, or will it be confined to London only?
§ Mr. HERBERT SAMUELThere is no intention of limiting any alteration to London.