§ 33. Mr. FELLasked the Postmaster General if his attention has been called to the fact that telephone subscribers are in some cases required to make a deposit of £7 instead of 10s., which has been demanded up to this time; and will he say what is the total sum which the Government expects to have in hand from this change in the practice?
§ Mr. HOBHOUSEThere has been no change of practice so far as the Post Office 709 subscribers are concerned, and, pending the introduction of the revised telephone rates, no general instructions have been issued as regards subscribers who entered into agreements with the National Telephone Company. I found on further inquiry, after my answer to the hon. Member's question of the 7th instant, that, owing to a misapprehension, certain unauthorised steps have been taken at Norwich. I have given instructions that for the present no further action in the matter is to be taken.