HC Deb 27 January 1943 vol 386 cc482-3
27. Sir John Mellor

asked the Postmaster-General whether he is aware that a trunk or toll telephone call of four minutes' duration for a chargeable distance of 36 to 50 miles costs 1s. 11d., whereas a similar call for a chargeable distance of 26 to 35 miles costs 2s. 4d.; and whether he will correct this anomaly?

The Postmaster-General (Mr. W. S. Morrison)

I am aware of the comparison to which my hon. Friend draws attention. The system of charging all toll and trunk calls was for many years by three minute periods; as a concession to subscribers one minute timing beyond the initial three minutes for calls beyond 35 miles was introduced in 1929 and the necessary equipment provided. I should be reluctant to revert to three minute charging throughout on the longer calls, and to introduce one minute timing on the shorter calls would necessitate the provision of additional lines. This is out of the question at the present time.

Sir J. Mellon

Does not the present system tend to encourage people to use the telephone rather longer than is necessary?

Mr. Morrison

Though that may be said, I hope that people may be discouraged from using it unnecessarily by considerations of the public interest.