§ 102. Mr. STURROCKasked the Postmaster-General upon what principle payment of special surcharges is demanded by the contract department of the Post Office Telephones; whether he is aware that in the case of the railway Hotel, Forfar, a surcharge for the installation of a telephone is quoted at £28 7s., although there is a telephone already installed next door to this hotel; and whether he is aware that surcharges, which in effect prevent the extension of the telephone system, are a barrier to the expeditious conduct of business?
§ Mr. ILLINGWORTHThe surcharge was adopted in 1915, when, in consequence of the general war conditions, it became necessary to restrict the supply of new telephone facilities to those applicants who were prepared to pay a contribution to the cost of construction based on the necessary outlay I am considering whether a modification of the conditions of the surcharge is now possible. I will have the correctness of the surcharge in connection with a telephone at the Railway Hotel, Forfar, verified.