HC Deb 22 January 1958 vol 580 cc1021-2
9. Mr. Lipton

asked the Postmaster-General in how many cases the cost of a telephone call was increased to 1s. from 1st January, 1958.

Mr. K. Thompson

Of a weekly total of some 5 million calls previously charged at 6d., or 9d., about 40,000 are now charged at 1s. and the rest at 3d.

Mr. Lipton

Is the hon. Gentleman aware that in the Ascot group, two exchange charges have gone from 7½d. to 1s. and another 10 have gone up from 10d. to 1s.? If that is a fair example, does it not mean that there are exchanges all over the country where the cost of a call has increased? How many calls are affected in that way?

Mr. Thompson

It is clear, from the figures I have given to the House, that the case given by the hon. Gentleman is not a fair example.

Mr. Nabarro

Will my hon. Friend consider another fair example? Is he aware that it is possible to telephone 19 miles from Kidderminster to Birmingham for 3d.? Is not that very satisfactory?

Mr. de Freitas

Does the hon. Member for Kidderminster need to telephone?

Mr. Lipton

Is it not rather a menace to the citizens of Birmingham?

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