HC Deb 29 January 1929 vol 224 cc755-6
31. Sir PHILIP RICHARDSON

asked the Postmaster-General whether he is aware that the inhabitants of Thames Ditton have had their telephone service transferred from the Kingston to the Emberbrook Exchange at a reduced rental of 5s. per annum but so as to place them outside the five-mile radius, with a consequent reduction in the number of exchanges falling under the penny rate for calls at all hours from 6 to 11 and a largely increased charge for communications with exchanges most generally used by them; and whether he will restore to the inhabitants of this area the privileges they have heretofore enjoyed in the matter of penny calls so that the aggregate of payments made by them during the year may not be increased?

The POSTMASTER-GENERAL (Sir William Mitchell-Thomson)

I am aware of the facts which are correctly stated in the first part of my hon. and gallant Friend's question, except that the rental will be reduced by £l per annum and not 5s., and the radius is 10 miles and not five. With this reduction of rental many of the subscribers concerned will benefit, despite the increase in call charges to many London exchanges. These changes, which follow the opening of a new exchange to serve the subscribers in its neighbourhood, are an inevitable consequence of the growth of telephone population in the London telephone area. It is impossible for reasons of administrative efficiency further to enlarge that area and in consequence new exchanges on its borders, but outside the radius, must fall within the provisions of the general tariff for the country.

Mr. RYE

Does the Postmaster-General consider that it is fair and reasonable to shift an exchange and so put subscribers to great inconvenience?

Sir W. MITCHELL-THOMSON

It all depends on the progress of development. The London telephone area has developed so rapidly in recent years—it has increased by something like 50 per cent. during the lifetime of this Government— that it is impossible, for administrative reasons, to further enlarge it.

Mr. RYE

At the present moment, have the subscribers attached to the Kingston exchange the right to continue on that exchange?

Sir W. MITCHELL-THOMSON

As I have already explained, for administrative reasons that is impossible. What has been happening is that those subscribers outside the 10-mile radius have been getting their service at a cheaper rate than other people.