75 Captain CROOKSHANKasked the Postmaster-General (1) whether, in the interests of economy, he will consider the issue of only one telephone directory each year, with a supplement of new subscribers six months later;
(2) what is the number of telephone directories which are distributed free every year; and what is the cost to his Department;
(3) whether, in the interests of economy, he will cease from issuing telephone directories free of charge, and instead cause subscribers to pay at any rate a proportion of the cost of publishing these directories?
§ Sir W. MITCHELL - THOMSONAlterations and additions to the telephone directories are numerous and publication every six months is necessary for the efficiency of the service. For the London Directory these alterations amount to over 100,000 a year. In these circumstances, the issue of a supplement would not be a satisfactory alternative to a new edition. About 2,200,000 copies were distributed free to telephone subscribers in the last year. The net cost of production and distribution was about £90,000. The issue of a directory is an essential part of the telephone service, and is covered by the annual rental. If a separate charge were made, many subscribers would continue to use out-of-date directories, and the efficiency of the service would be seriously prejudiced.
§ Sir H. BRITTAINIs it not a mistake to say that these directories are distributed free, when we pay about the highest charge in Europe for our telephone service?