§ 28. Sir H. BRITTAINasked the Postmaster-General whether he realises that many telephone subscribers are sceptical as to the record of calls accredited to them at their respective exchanges; and whether he is able to report to the House the opinion of the Post Office as to the possibility of installing in the near future in each exchange an effective automatic recorder?
§ Mr. PEASEComplaints of overcharging are diminishing as subscribers, formerly on the unlimited service rate, realise the extent of their use of the telephone. No satisfactory automatic record has yet been devised either in this country or abroad.
§ Sir H. BRITTAINHas the Post Office ever thought of offering a reward for a satisfactory automatic recorder? It might encourage inventors.
§ Mr. PEASEI have seen such an apparatus as that to which my hon. Friend refers, but it is not considered satisfactory by the Post Office. I will note what the hon. Gentleman has said with regard to offering a prize.
§ Sir C. KINLOCH-COOKEIs the right hon. Gentleman not aware that negotiations are now proceeding with the Post Office in regard to an automatic recorder? What view has the Postmaster-General expressed on the subject?
§ Mr. PEASEThe opinion of the Post Office is that up to the present no proper apparatus has been found.
§ Sir H. BRITTAINHow many complaints are there? Is it a diminishing number?