HC Deb 26 June 1928 vol 219 cc221-3
25. Mr. GROVES

asked the Postmaster-General what steps are taken by his Department to meet the claims or suggestions of any telephone subscribers who may have had a check taken upon their out-going calls and whose figures differ materially from those of his Department?

Viscount WOLMER

If a telephone subscriber represents that the Post Office record of the number of local calls made on his telephone is in excess of that shown in his own record, the registering apparatus at the exchange is specially tested. The records are also carefully scrutinised to ascertain if any error has been made in transcription or computation. If a defect or clerical error is found, a suitable allowance is, of course, made.

Mr. DAY

Is a subscriber given an opportunity of knowing when this test will take place, so that he is able also to make a test from his end?

Viscount WOLMER

The meter that calculates the number of calls is at the exchange and not at the subscriber's end.

Mr. DAY

Is not the subscriber given an opportunity of knowing when the test is taking place, so that he can test the calls that pass from his end?

Viscount WOLMER

I do not quite follow the hon. Member. The number of calls by each subscriber is calculated by a machine which is at the exchange. If a subscriber who keeps a record of his own calls alleges that the machine is not working properly, the machine is specially tested by a qualified engineer.

Mr. GROVES

Is it not a fact that the Post Office takes up the position always that their method is infallible and that the method of any subscriber is fallible, and is he aware that negotiations between his Department and the West Ham Corporation Electricity Department brought to the notice of the Department obvious discrepancies, and that the reply given was that their machinery was perfect?

Viscount WOLMER

The Post Office does not claim to be infallible, although it is true that we have denied that the West Ham Board of Guardians is infallible.

Lieut.-Commander KENWORTHY

Does the machine count up the wrong numbers and charge them to the subscriber?

Viscount WOLMER

No, there is an apparatus for obviating that.

Mr. GROVES

In case of any misapprehension, I did not mention the West Ham Board of Guardians, but the West Ham Electricity Department. I hope it will not be misunderstood.