HC Deb 17 July 1957 vol 573 cc1128-9
26. Mr. Collins

asked the Postmaster-General why an additional deposit of £5 is required before telephones are installed in the Borough of Shoreditch; what is the number of Metropolitan boroughs in which this additional deposit is required; and what are the reasons governing the decision to demand an additional deposit.

Mr. K. Thompson

We do not, as a matter of course, require payment of a deposit before providing telephones in the Borough of Shoreditch, or elswhere; but in any individual case where it is considered necessary by way of security, a deposit may be required in accordance with Regulation 37 of the Telephone Regulations, 1954.

Mr. Collins

Is the Assistant Postmaster-General aware that the persons from whom this deposit was demanded were in the pensionable employment of Shoreditch Corporation and could have given unexceptionable references? Will he take steps to end this objectionable practice, which appears to be based on the erroneous belief that poor people are less honest than wealthy people?

Mr. Thompson

Oh, no, that is an entire misinterpretation of the Regulations. The Post Office naturally must take appropriate steps to protect itself against loss. If it is found that the Post Office has been in error in making a judgment, it is always quite ready to have a look at it again.

Mr. Nabarro

Will my hon. Friend confirm that it is the policy of the Post Office to conduct its affairs on a commercial and efficient basis and that that must include the testing of the credit-worthiness of every subscriber or every person who wishes to use Post Office credit services?

Mr. Thompson

As one would expect, my hon. Friend has put his finger on the nub of the whole matter.

Mr. Collins

Is the Assistant Postmaster-General aware that in these cases I have investigated the Post Office signally failed to test the credit-worthiness of these people and demanded this additional deposit irrespective of their credit standing?

Mr. Thompson

I should like to assure the hon. Member that if we have been in any way either harsh or at fault in a matter, we are always ready to correct what we have done.

Mr. Nabarro

I wish the National Coal Board behaved like that.