§ 30. Mr. MAXTONasked the Postmaster-General whether the supply of extension telephones, which can be employed for purposes of eavesdropping as stated in a recent court case, is one of the recognised services of the Post Office; and what are the limits, if any, to its use?
§ Sir K. WOODThe Post Office provides extension telephones of many different types to suit the particular requirements of different subscribers. If a subscriber requires apparatus which will facilitate overhearing as between instruments within premises under his control, I do not think the Post Office can properly inquire as to his reasons. Overhearing facilities would not, of course, be provided over a telephone rented by another subscriber without the latter's authority.
§ Mr. MAXTONIs it the practice of the Post Office to notify the person on the extension that a conversation is taking place on the main instrument? Has the Postmaster-General seen the newspaper reports of the case to which I am referring, and was not the statement made there that the Post Office rang up the person on the extension to let him know that he was missing something if he did not listen in?
§ Sir K. WOODNo. The Post Office performs many services, but I am not aware that that was done. In that particular case, a painful domestic case, I believe the reasons were fully explained in the legal proceedings which I read, but I think my hon. Friend will agree that in circumstances like that it is obvious that the Post Office cannot take any responsibility.