80. EARL Of RONALDSHAYasked the Postmaster-General if Mr. James Morton informed the controller at 144, Queen Victoria Street, on the 24th September last, that he would require his telephone, the rent for which had been paid up to the 30th April, 1913, to be removed from 25, Old Broad Street, to 85, London Wall, as soon after the 30th September as possible; and, if so, will he state how much time elapsed between the date given by Mr. Morton to the controller as the date on which he was moving his office, namely, the 30th September, and the date on which his telephone was connected up at his new premises?
§ Mr. HERBERT SAMUELNotice of removal was received from Mr. Morton on the 26th September and the work was completed on the 8th instant. The case was complicated by the fact that Mr. Morton was taking over the agreement of another subscriber, and about sixteen days were occupied in the negotiations and in completing the transfer, but 1016 there was clearly delay which should have been avoided, and of which I have taken suitable notice.
81. MARQUESS of TULLIBARDINEasked whether it is proposed to discontinue the telephone service to Rhum, Muck, Eigg, and Canna; and, if so, why is this course adopted?
§ Mr. HERBERT SAMUELThere is no telephone service to any of the islands named, and there is no telegraph service to Muck. As regards the telegraph service to Eigg, Rhum, and Canna, I would refer the Noble Lord to my answer to the hon. Member for Argyll on 6th March last.
MARQUESS of TULLIBARDINEIs the right, hon. Gentleman aware that the result of this is to cut off the inhabitants of Rhum and Canna from the benefit of telephone communication?
§ Mr. HERBERT SAMUELI do not know to what the Noble Lord is referring.
82. EARL of RONALDSHAYasked the Postmaster-General if he has received complaints as to the existing system of payment for telephone calls, under which deposits are demanded from the subscriber at uncertain intervals, and no detailed account of the expenditure of such deposits rendered; has he in contemplation any change in the system; and, if so, can he give the House any information as to the alterations which he intends making?
§ Mr. HERBERT SAMUELI would refer the Noble Lord to the reply which I gave on the 16th July last to the hon. Member for Penryn and Falmouth. No further change is under contemplation.
83. EARL of RONALDSHAYasked the Postmaster-General if his attention has been called to the fact that Messrs. Baker Brothers, of Finchley, were served with a demand note for a deposit of £3 in respect of Telephone No. 259 Finchley, at the end of October last, by the controller, the statement of account accompanying the demand showing a balance of 10s. 4d. due to the Post Office; and to the fact that in response to a request from Messrs. Baker for a detailed statement of account they were furnished by the same authority with a balance-sheet showing a credit, after the payment of the deposit of £3 on 1st November, of £1 17s. 1d. in Messrs. Baker's favour; can he say how the discrepancy in the second account presented by the same authority arose; and will he say what steps he intends taking to obviate errors of this kind in the future?
§ Mr. HERBERT SAMUELI am informed that the balance of 10s. 4d. due to the Post Office was shown on the account rendered to Messrs. Baker Brothers as outstanding at the end of September, and that the additional calls made during October brought the amount outstanding at the end of that month to £1 2s. 11d. After the payment of the deposit of £3 on 1st November the amount standing to Messrs. Baker Brothers' credit was therefore correctly stated as £1 17s. 1d.
§ 86. Mr. FFRENCHasked when something is going to be done in order to make the telephone service between Dublin and Wexford and the intermediate offices available for subscribers?
§ Mr. HERBERT SAMUELThe method of working the Dublin-Wexford line has recently been modified, and I am informed that an improvement in communication has resulted. Steps are being taken to effect further improvement at the earliest possible date.
§ Mr. FFRENCHIs the right hon. Gentleman aware that the telephone between Wexford and Dublin has been out of order for the past twelve months, and no messages could be sent by subscribers, and will he kindly take the matter in hand in earnest and see that this trunk telephone is made right?
§ Mr. HERBERT SAMUELYes. Steps are now being taken. I am aware that the service has been defective. The Department has the matter in hand now.
Mr. WORTHINGTON-EVANSDoes the right hon. Gentleman think that the telephone service in Ireland is too extravagant? Is this one of the economies which it is hoped to effect under Home Rule?