§ 23. Sir N. GRATTAN-DOYLEasked the Postmaster-General whether he will give particulars showing how the amount of £120,000 is spent annually in bringing to the notice of the public the advantages of the telephone service and the facilities offered to subscribers?
§ The ASSISTANT POSTMASTER-GENERAL (Viscount Wolmer)New business is sought chiefly by personal canvassing conducted by a specially trained staff of over 500 men, and the wages and commission paid to them account for the bulk of the £120,000. The work of the canvassing staff is supplemented by the distribution throughout the country of pamphlets, leaflets and other advertising literature and by the exhibition of posters in post offices and elsewhere. In addition, telephone exhibits have been arranged at industrial fairs and exhibitions in London and the Provinces. The cost of printing and delivering the advertising literature or of the telephone exhibits could not be ascertained without considerable difficulty and expense, but its estimated cost is included in the sum quoted.
§ Captain STREATFEILDDoes not the Noble Lord consider that a great deal more business might be done in this line if special facilities could be afforded to the farming community, especially in the outlying districts of Scotland?
§ Viscount WOLMERThat is rather a different question. As my hon. and gallant Friend knows, we do give telephones in country districts at unremunerative rates. I know that my agricultural friends would like those rates 1836 to be still lower, and the Postmaster-General desires that they should be as low as possible, but that is rather a big question.
§ Captain STREATFEILDIs my Noble Friend aware that those facilities given to the agricultural community are at residential rates and not at business rates?
§ Mr. SPEAKERThat is not raised by the question on the Paper.