§ 82. Sir GEORGE PENNYasked the Postmaster-General whether the new Elmbridge telephone exchange in Surrey will be completed by the 1st July; the date upon which existing subscribers in the Surbiton area have been officially notified that they will be transferred and the new charges come into operation; and whether, in view of the increase in subscribers in that area necessitating this transfer, he will investigate the whole position and see if it is possible to extend the radius from London to a mileage which would include the Elmbridge 276 exchange, so that subscribers will not have to bear an increased charge for London calls?
§ The POSTMASTER-GENERAL (Mr. Lees-Smith)The new Elmbridge exchange will be established on the 1st July next. The London radius for assessing call charges is at present 10 miles from Oxford Circus. On financial grounds that radius cannot be increased, and I regret that I am unable to make an exception in the case of any particular locality. I should add that, on the transfer of subscribers to Elmbridge, rentals will be reduced by £1 per annum per line, and a large proportion of the subscribers concerned will benefit by reason of the transfer.
§ Sir G. PENNYIs the right hon. Gentleman quite sure that the Elmbridge exchange will be completed by the let July? In view of the very strong feeling which is held locally in regard to his arbitrary action, will the right hon. Gentleman receive a deputation from the District Council and the Chamber of Trade, so that he may be apprised of the great hardship that has been placed upon the people of that locality?
§ Mr. LEES-SMITHI shall be glad to receive a deputation. In regard to the exchange, it will be completed in April, but I do not think that it will be established then on the new site.