§ 50. Mr. Sorensenasked the Postmaster-General whether he will arrange to supply domestic and other telephone subscribers, when requested, with an alternative, more euphonious, type of bell, or with lights, soft buzzers, or some device for calling subscribers, less liable unnecessarily to distract the household or to disturb invalids and children?
§ Sir W. WomersleyThe use of lamp signals or soft buzzers instead of bells is open to the objection that the telephone is not as a rule under continuous observation and the signal is thus likely to be missed. The present type of bell has not given rise to any general complaint; but the Post Office is quite prepared to meet subscribers' wishes in exceptional cases.
§ Mr. SorensenIs not the hon. Member aware that, in fact, there are many complaints in households, leading to unfortunate language at times, and will he not at least provide the option to subscribers of having a less annoying kind of bell?
§ Sir W. WomersleyIn exceptional cases, where there is sickness or where it is necessary that there should be quiet—which does not apply to the ordinary 697 household—there are ways and means of softening the bell, practised by many of our subscribers, by inserting a little blotting paper.
§ Mr. SorensenDo I understand that that is the official recommendation—to insert blotting paper.
§ Sir W. WomersleyI am describing what some people do—not making a recommendation.
§ Captain PluggeIs my hon. Friend aware that in France, where they use the same system—the Western Electric—the light system has been available to subscribers for many years past?