§ 19. Mr. Gowerasked the Postmaster-General if he will take steps to discontinue charges made in respect of necessary inquiries to telephone exchanges.
Dr. HillThe only such charge is that for advice on the duration of and charge for a trunk call, and I could not justify its discontinuance. If the comparatively few subscribers who use this service did not themselves pay the cost it would have to fall on telephone subscribers generally.
§ Mr. GowerWill my right hon. Friend agree that it is rather absurd that a person should have to pay when he merely inquires the cost of a service? Does the Post Office regard subscribers as customers, to be treated as such, or as awkward people who ought to be thankful for small mercies?
Dr. HillMy hon. Friend is not accurate in the statement that he makes. Anyone can inquire, without cost, the charge of a telephone call to a certain exchange. What we are dealing with here are inquiries in relation to a specific telephone call—the time it has taken—and, 2092 in large part, the object of those inquiries is for the internal purposes of the organisation concerned—quite proper purposes—including the allocation of the cost between one department and another. As the cost is about 3d. a time, it seems reasonable that the Post Office should make such a charge.
§ Mr. GowerIn view of the unsatisfactory nature of the reply, I give notice that I will raise the matter on the Adjournment.