§ 18. Mr. Desmond Donnellyasked the Assistant Postmaster-General in what cases it is the policy of his Department to charge excess rentals to telephone subscribers who live beyond a certain distance from the nearest telephone exchange; and how this is computed.
§ Mr. GammansExcess rental is normally charged where the subscriber's premises are more than three miles radial distance from the nearest telephone exchange. The additional annual charge is £1 3s. 0d. for each furlong beyond these limits.
§ Mr. DonnellyAm I to understand from the hon. Gentleman that the charge is computed from the telephone exchange itself or from the three-mile limit?
§ Mr. GammansIt is computed from the telephone exchange itself.
§ Mr. DonnellyIs that not rather unfair? Would the hon. Gentleman consider arranging it so that a man who lives three miles and one furlong from the telephone exchange does not have to pay the excess when a man who lives two miles seven furlongs away does not have to pay any rental at all?
§ Mr. GammansI will look into that point.