§ 7. Colonel J. R. H. Hutchisonasked the Postmaster-General whether he will introduce legislation to provide that when a telephone subscriber can show that he has been wrongly charged he shall not be liable to pay the overcharge.
§ Mr. Ness EdwardsIt is a long-standing practice of the Post Office to adjust or waive any telephone charge if there is reasonable doubt as to its accuracy.
§ Colonel HutchisonHas the Minister's attention been drawn to a case in Bow County Court and to the remarks of the judge who said, "It does not seem right," when told that a telephone subscriber could not legally refuse to pay for a call wrongly charged to him? Does he agree with the words of the learned judge?
§ Mr. Ness EdwardsThe other facts not taken into consideration are that the defendant did not make a complaint for four months after he received the account and did not even offer a defence when the case was heard in court.
§ Colonel Gomme-DuncanCould he have had redress had he done this immediately?
§ Mr. Ness EdwardsIf he had made a complaint that he was being charged wrongly the matter would have been investigated. Unless we satisfied ourselves that the charge was reasonable it would have been waived.
§ Colonel HutchisonDoes not that leave the position even more unsatisfactory? What kind of trade does the Minister think can be carried on when a man has to be charged for something which he did not legally have?
§ Mr. Ness EdwardsI am obliged to apply the Regulations of 1936 which were not brought before this House by me.