§ 31. Mr. HIGHAMasked the Prime Minister whether, in the event of the Select Committee on Telephone Administration and Charges reporting that the new charges are excessive, a rebate will be made?
Mr. CHAMBERLAINApart from other considerations, it would not, I am informed, be administratively possible to make a retrospective reduction as suggested by my hon. Friend.
§ Mr. HIGHAMIs the right hon. Gentleman aware that the Leader of the House informed the House that rebate would be made in the event of this Committee deciding against the charges?
Mr. CHAMBERLAINNo. The hon. Gentleman is mistaken in the statement made by the Leader of the House; it was not to that effect.
§ Sir H. BRITTAINWhat are the other considerations?
§ Sir H. BRITTAINThe right hon. Gentleman said "apart from other considerations." May I ask what other considerations?
Mr. CHAMBERLAINI have not thought it worth while to answer that question myself, because it is administratively impossible.
§ Mr. BETTERTONWould it not be competent for the Committee itself, under the terms of reference read out by the Attorney General, to make any recommendation it liked with regard to the rebate; and is not the question as to whether it would be possible or not a matter for the Committee?
Mr. CHAMBERLAINI cannot carry in my head the terms of reference, and I do not know what would be possible to the Committee, but whether the thing is administratively possible or not perhaps administrators are as competent to form an opinion on as anyone else.
§ Major NALLIs there any reason why a refund of telephone charges should be any more difficult than a refund of Income Tax?
Mr. CHAMBERLAINIf a comparable proposition were put up with regard to the Income Tax, I should give the same answer.