§ 68. Colonel DAYasked the Postmaster-General the amount of money that he has in hand as deposits from telephone subscribers on account of trunk fees, telegraph, or other services in connection with the telephone service?
§ The ASSISTANT POSTMASTER-GENERAL (Viscount Wolmer)The amount is approximately £2,280,000.
§ Colonel DAYCan the Noble Lord say how much of that amount belongs to former telephone subscribers who are not now subscribers to the Post Office?
§ Viscount WOLMERNo, Sir; I cannot without notice, but it is a comparatively small amount.
§ Colonel DAYWhat steps are taken to see that these people get their money back?
§ Viscount WOLMERThey get it back upon application.
§ Mr. A. V. ALEXANDERCan the Noble Lord assure us, speaking for the Post Office, that these balances are secure from the "stand-and-deliver" tactics of the Chancellor?
72. Mr. R. W. SMITHasked the Postmaster-General what has been the cause of the delay in opening the telephone exchange at Echt, Aberdeenshire; when he expects it will be opened; and when the subscribers who are to be connected to that exchange may expect to have their telephones installed and working?
§ Viscount WOLMERThe opening of this exchange depends on the completion of structural alterations to the post office. The premises are private property and the work, which is being carried out on the owner's instructions, is temporarily suspended; but I hope it will be resumed shortly. Service will be provided as soon as possible; but in the circumstances I am not in a position to give a definite date.
Mr. SMITHIs the Noble Lord aware that it is over six months since the subscribers signed contracts for these telephones; and is it not rather apt to put people off getting in telephones, if it requires six months to have them fixed up?
§ Viscount WOLMERI am aware of the delay, but the circumstances in this case have been somewhat exceptional. I hope the delay will not continue much longer.
Mr. SMITHIs the Noble Lord aware that in another case in the same constituency it is about six months since the telephone subscribers signed the contracts?
§ Viscount WOLMERIf the hon. Member will be kind enough to give me particulars of that case, I shall be glad to look into it.