§ 38. Colonel DAYasked the Postmaster-General the number of brochures announcing the advantages of the telephone that have been sent out during the last 12 months by the Telephone Department of the General Post Office, and the estimated cost?
§ Sir W. MITCHELL-THOMSONDuring the past year, 29 leaflets, posters, 1945 brochures, etc., drawing attention to the advantages of the telephone service, have been issued, and three more are in course of preparation. Some four million copies of the various documents have been distributed. The cost of printing falls upon the Stationery Office Vote.
§ Colonel DAYCan the right hon. Gentleman say whether any definite sum has been allocated out of the telephone revenues for this purpose?
§ Sir W. MITCHELL-THOMSONI think the hon. Gentleman had better address that question to the Financial Secretary to the Treasury.
§ 39. Lieut.-Colonel JAMESasked the Postmaster-General whether, in view of the fact that the policy of his Department is to persuade the maximum number of householders in rural areas to instal and take every advantage of telephone facilities, and seeing that this policy is hampered by the disparity in the charges made as between exchanges in rural areas with less than 20 subscribers and those with more than this number, he will seek Treasury sanction to institute the same uniform charges on a mileage basis without discrimination between these two categories of rural exchanges?
§ Sir W. MITCHELL-THOMSONI cannot ignore the financial aspect, and in view of the considerable loss which is involved in the provision of service at exchanges with less than 20 subscribers, I regret that I cannot see my way at present to propose a reduction in the rental charges payable.
§ Lieut.-Colonel JAMESDoes the right hon. Gentleman not realise that sometimes what is lost on the swings can be made up on the roundabouts?
§ Sir W. MITCHELL-THOMSONI fully realise that, but my object is to try and preserve a balance between the two.
§ Mr. MACQUISTENWill the Postmaster-General explain why telephones are so dear in this country, and is he aware that they cost only half the money in South Africa?