§ 44. Sir J. D. REESasked whether, and if so, when, a scale of telephone charges fair to the revenue and advantageous to the public will be introduced?
§ Mr. HERBERT SAMUELThe question of the charges for telephone service is receiving my careful consideration and, as I have stated recently in reply to similar questions, I hope that the revised scale will be announced within the next few months.
§ 59. Mr. BUTCHERasked the Postmaster-General whether, when a tenant of premises has entered into an agreement with the Postmaster-General for the use of a telephone in connection with his premises for twelve months, involving a payment of the rent for twelve months in advance, and before the expiration of such twelve months leaves such premises and assigns or sub-lets the same to another tenant, it is possible for the original tenant to transfer his agreement with the Postmaster-General to the new tenant for the unexpired residue of the twelve months; if not, whether it is necessary for the new tenant, if he desires the use of a telephone in connection with the premises, to enter into a new agreement with the Postmaster-General and to pay rent for such telephone from the date of his taking possession of the premises; whether he is aware that the effect is that payment has to be made twice over for the use of the same telephone in connection with the same premises; whether such a practice is sanctioned by any legislative enactment; and whether the Government will take steps to alter what appears to be an unjustifiable practice?
§ Mr. HERBERT SAMUELThe hon. Member has apparently been misinformed. When a telephone subscriber having paid twelve months' rental in advance leaves his premises before the expiration of that period, he is allowed to terminate his agreement at once and a proportionate rebate is made if the incoming tenant is willing to take over all liability in connection with the line.