§ 27. Sir FRANK MEYERasked the Postmaster-General whether, in order to encourage the use of the telegraph service, he will consider remitting the charge for a local call, which is at present made in addition to the cost of the telegram, when a telegram is sent by the telephone service?
§ Sir W. MITCHELL-THOMSONThe provision of wires, equipment and operating force for the acceptance of telegrams by telephone involves the Post Office in considerable expense; and I regret that I do not see my way to saddle the telegraph service with the cost of the concession suggested by my hon. Friend.
§ Sir F. MEYERDoes not the right hon. Gentleman agree that to charge 2d. for a local call when a person wishes to send a telegram is a direct discouragement to the use of the telephone for this purpose, and, if it is desirable to increase the number of telegrams sent by this method, does this system not directly stand in the way of doing it?
§ Sir W. MITCHELL-THOMSONI would remind my hon. Friend that the balance on the telephone account is being run low, because I am doing my best to develop the telephone service in the rural areas. If I have to keep a larger balance on the telephone account, to meet this particular demand, we shall have less development in the rural areas.
§ 32. Colonel APPLINasked the Postmaster-General whether he is aware that a telephone subscriber who requires an extra foot of flexible wire beyond the 941 regulation eight feet is charged an annual rental of 6s. for the same; and whether, as this charge is five or six times the actual cost of the extra wire, he will examine this regulation with a view to supplying a reasonable length of flexible wire above eight feet where such is necessary to enable a subscriber to use his telephone in comfort?
§ Sir W. MITCHELL-THOMSONExperience shows that cords of abnormal length, which are frequently allowed to trail on the floor, are a source of damage to the instrument and are responsible for considerably increased cost of maintenance. A special charge is therefor justifiable and necessary, but I am considering the possibility of making some reduction in the present fee.
§ Colonel APPLINis my right hon. Friend aware that this charge is considerably over 1,000 per cent. profit on a foot of wire, over its lifetime?
§ Sir W. MITCHELL-THOMSONIt is not a question of profit per foot of wire. The charge is intended to be a deterrent to the use of an extraordinarily long cord.