§ 38. Colonel DAYasked the Postmaster-General the number of telephone calls that have been passed from Great Britain to the United States and vice versa from the beginning of this service until the last convenient date, giving separately. 1662 the average number of calls passed daily, and stating the number of calls that have originated in London or provincial areas?
§ The POSTMASTER-GENERAL (Sir William Mitchell-Thomson)The figures up to the 17th instant are as follow:
| Total calls from Great Britain | 485* |
| Total calls from United States | 612† |
| Number of calls originated in London | 444 |
| Number of calls originated in Provinces | 41 |
| *Daily average 3. | |
| †Daily average 4. |
§ Colonel DAYIn view of the very small number of calls, which is only three per day, will the Postmaster-General consider the advisability of reducing the price during certain portions of the day, so as to give the public more opportunities of using this service?
§ Sir W. MITCHELL-THOMSONI have already told the hon. Member that the question of the charges undoubtedly will receive consideration in the future, but at the same time the hon. Member must recollect that the calls are sometimes of considerable duration, a quarter of an hour or over.
§ Colonel DAYIf there are only three calls a day, even if they take a quarter of an hour each, the service is not being much used.
§ Sir W. MITCHELL-THOMSONI would like to point out that there are three calls a day in one direction and four in the other.
§ Colonel DAYCan the Postmaster-General say whether there is not a very considerable loss on this service?
§ Sir W. MITCHELL-THOMSONI have already stated that it covers the working expenses.