§ 6. Mr. GOLDMANasked the Postmaster-General what questions were addressed to telephone subscribers in the course of his recent inquiry; how many forms were sent out and how many returned; upon what principle subscribers were selected for the inquiry; and will he lay the details of the replies upon the Table of the House?
§ Mr. HOBHOUSEAbout the end of last year personal visits were made by the managers of telephone exchanges in London to a number of the principal subscribers in order to obtain expressions of opinion as to the service. It soon became apparent, however, that the general extension of this system would occupy a very long period, and it was therefore arranged that exchange superintendents should ring up subscribers to make inquiry. The number of subscribers thus rung up was about 133,500, which practically represents the whole body of subscribers in London. Replies were obtained from 128,100 subscribers, of whom about 112,000, or 87 per cent., expressed themselves as satisfied; about 10,200, or 8 per cent., gave indefinite answers; and about 5,900, or 4.6 per cent., expressed themselves as dissatisfied.
§ Mr. GOLDMANCan the right hon. Gentleman say what guarantee he has got that the reply was given by responsible people and not by housemaids and messenger boys?
§ Mr. HOBHOUSEI understand that housemaids are not usually employed in business offices.
§ Mr. LEEWill the right hon. Gentleman arrange to have me rung up by the superviser so that I can express my view?
§ Mr. HOBHOUSEI dare say I could find out, but I am afraid that I cannot say offhand the exact number.
Mr. ALAN SYKESWill the right hon. Gentleman have the same or a similar inquiry made in the provinces?
§ Mr. HOBHOUSEI do not know that I should mind, but it would take a very long time. There are a large number of subscribers, some 400,000, from whom to collect information.
Mr. ALAN SYKESIs it not the fact that in the provinces the telephone has not been brought as much up to date as in London and that, therefore, it is giving an unduly unfavourable appearance to the whole telephone system?
§ Mr. HOBHOUSEI cannot admit that for a moment.
§ Captain MURRAYIs not the telephone much better anywhere than it is in London?