§ 61. Sir W. BRASSasked the Postmaster-General whether, in order to popularise the telephone service in rural areas, he will consider reducing the business rate paid by farmers, doctors, and nurses to that of the residential rate; and what the cost of this concession would be?
§ Mr. LEES-SMITHI regret that in the application of telephone rates I cannot discriminate between farmers, doctors, nurses, and subscribers engaged in other businesses or professions. In the absence of detailed information as to the number of subscribers in the classes mentioned, I cannot state what would be the cost of such a concession; but it would be large and increasing.
§ Sir W. BRASSWill the hon. Gentleman bear in mind that the business telephones are used almost as much for private business as the private telephones are used for business purposes?
§ Mr. LEES-SMITHI am afraid that I cannot reply to that question.
§ Mr. SMITHERSWill the hon. Gentleman take into consideration especially the village nurses by whom so much public service is rendered?
§ Mr. LEES-SMITHI will take all these things into consideration, but I would remind my hon. Friend that there is a Motion on the Paper on Wednesday for Economy.