§ 26. Sir DOUGLAS NEWTONasked the Postmaster-General how many villages have been called upon, in the past three years, to give guarantees for the provision of public telephones, the total amount of such guarantees, and the sum of money relating to them actually paid by such villages?
§ Viscount WOLMERDuring the last three years 268 new guarantees, amounting in the aggregate to £4,994 a year, have been entered into for public telephone call offices in rural districts; and since the respective call offices were opened, the guarantors have been called upon to pay £2,827. Statistics are not available of the number of cases in which guarantees were suggested but not given.
§ Sir D. NEWTONIs the Noble Lord aware that the heavy guarantees, which are frequently called upon, tend to discourage applications for telephones, and will he be prepared to consider sharing the risk and part of the guarantee?
§ Viscount WOLMERThe Post Office is not allowed to share the risk. If my hon. Friend thinks an excessive guarantee has been asked in any particular case, I shall be pleased to go into the matter with him.
§ Major COLFOXWho is it who prohibits the Noble Lord from sharing the risks? Surely he and the Department make rules for themselves.
§ Viscount WOLMERThe Post Office is under an obligation to run the telephone service at a profit.
§ Mr. CRAWFURDDoes the Post Office take any steps to bring to the public notice the possibility of more telephonic communication?
§ Viscount WOLMERThe telephone service is advertised at Post Offices.