§ 76. Mr. FOOTasked the Postmaster-General what progress has been made in the installation of rural telephones throughout the country since 31st December last?
§ Mr. HARTSHORNBetween the 31st December last and the 31st May there was an increase of 109 rural exchanges. In addition 494 rural party line subscribers, 201 call offices in rural areas and 69 telephones at rural railway stations were added to the system.
§ Viscount WOLMERWill the right hon. Gentleman consider reducing the excessive charge for rural telephones?
§ Mr. HARTSHORNI have already explained that that matter is under consideration and that at present there is a very substantial loss on the rural service.
§ Mr. AUSTEN CHAMBERLAINWill the right hon. Gentleman take it into consideration on broader lines as a factor in the life of the agricultural community?
§ Mr. HARTSHORNI have given consideration to it from that aspect, but I find on inquiry that most of the complaints that are coming from rural areas are not so much from the farmers themselves as from well-to-do people who live in rural areas. That is the result of my inquiry.
§ Mr. CHAMBERLAINIs not that because the farmers do not at present subscribe, and are not likely to so long as the terms are so high?
§ Mr. FOOTWill the right hon. Gentleman take into consideration that the cost at present is greatest where the need is most, and that in the case of the more distant houses the cost is practically prohibitive?
§ Mr. LEIF JONESDoes the right hon. Gentleman realise that if he lowered the price, there would be a very much larger demand and possibly an increased yield?
§ Major WHELERWill the right hon. Gentleman bear in mind how very valuable the telephone is in fruit districts, especially in soft fruit districts?
§ Mr. HARTSHORNI can assure hon. Members that this is a matter which has received, and will continue to receive, my sympathetic consideration, and if I find it possible to bring about an improvement in this direction, I shall be very pleased to do so.