§ 43. Mr. Anstruther-Grayasked the Postmaster-General, in how many ports arrangements have been made and are actually carried out to connect arriving ships immediately with the system of land telephones; and whether he will give full details?
§ The Postmaster-General (Major Tryon)Telephone service to ships in dock has been provided for many years at certain ports, but the arrangements differ as between one port and another. Full details are not readily available but I shall be glad to have inquiry made as regards any cases in which the hon. Member is interested.
§ 46. Mr. Dayasked the Postmaster-General what, if any, further reductions he has decided to make in the telephone charges; and whether his Department propose further to modify the conditions of telephone agreements so as to allow of shorter notice of termination, particularly in the cases of internal extension and inter-communication instruments?
§ Major TryonI regret that I can at present offer no further reductions in telephone charges or modifications in conditions on the lines suggested by the hon. Member.
§ Mr. DayDoes that answer mean that there has been further consideration of the charges from ship to shore?
§ Major TryonThe period of the notice which it is necessary to give for withdrawal has been altered from three months to one month.
§ Major TryonThe hon. Member's supplementary questions appear to relate to a question which has already been answered.
§ 48. Mr. Parkerasked the Postmaster-General what arrangements are made to keep public telephones free from infection?
§ Major TryonI would refer the hon. Member to the answer given on Monday, 28th March, to my hon. and gallant Friend the Member for Handsworth (Commander Locker-Lampson).
Mr. De la BèreWhat steps are being taken to keep the British Broadcasting Corporation free from infection?
§ 41. Sir John Wardlaw-Milneasked the Postmaster-General whether he will make arrangements for the erection of a public telephone kiosk in the village of Caunsall, near Kidderminster; and whether he will expedite the work as much as possible, in view of the fact that the nearest call-box is a mile and a quarter away, so that serious delay is caused in summoning help in cases of accident or sickness?
§ Major TryonIt is a condition of the establishment of public telephone kiosks in small villages without a post office, such as Caunsall, that the local parish council should make a contribution of £ 4 per annum for the first five years, which would represent only a small share of the loss involved. In this case the local council are unwilling to make the contribution; and I am sorry, therefore, that no further progress can be made in the matter.
§ Sir J. Wardlaw-MilneIs there any possibility of an offer of a partial contribution being entertained?
§ Major TryonNo, Sir; I could not make an exception.
Mr. De la BèreIs the Postmaster-General aware that this is quite near to the Vale of Evesham; and does he realise how very important it is that anything affecting the Vale of Evesham should be satisfactory?