§ 27. Mr. Dayasked the Postmaster-General the number of transatlantic telephone calls that were dealt with by the Post Office wireless station passing between Great Britain and the United States of America for the three months 1769 ending at the last convenient date; the average chargeable duration of these calls; and what has been the result of the last negotiations that took place for the purpose of reducing the charges of the transatlantic and ship-to-shore telephone charges?
§ Major TryonThe number of telephone calls made between this country and the United States during the three months ended 31st May last was 5,511; and the average duration of these calls was about seven minutes. The last negotiations concerning the transatlantic telephone rates resulted a year ago in a reduction of the rate to the New York zone of the United States from 40s. to 28s. a minute during the day, and from 28s. to 20s. a minute at night and on Sundays. Similar reductions were made in the rates to the more remote zones and the charge for calls to ships on the Atlantic set up via New York was reduced from 48s. to 36s. a minute. Some further reductions were made at the beginning of this month in the charges for calls to places beyond the New York zone.
§ Major TryonIf the hon. Member wishes to have those figures, he should put down another question.