§ 33. Sir H. BRITTAINasked the Post- master-General whether the General Post Office has been considering the publication of a classified commercial directory for telephone subscribers since 1911; whether within the last few days a private concern has filled this commercial want after first offering the production, with a guaranteed profit, to the General Post Office; and whether such profit, which might have accrued to the Department, will now and in the future be lost?
§ Mr. ILLINGWORTHA classified commercial list has been published in connection with the telephone directory of certain districts and an extension and development of the arrangement is probable. Several private persons have submitted scheme for such lists, which, however, I have been unable to accept pending the settlement of a new contract 2264 for advertising in the Post Office Telephone Directory which will shortly be thrown open to public tender.
§ Sir H. BRITTAINIs it not a fact that the. Government list comprises only ten pages after all this number of years working, while the first commercial list issued by a business firm already comprises 200 pages?
§ Mr. ILLINGWORTHI am afraid that I cannot add anything to what 1 have already said.