§ 24. Mr. Russell Johnstonasked the Postmaster-General whether he will include Mallaig in the call area of the Small Isles.
§ Mr. BennNo, Sir. As I have explained to the hon. Member in correspondence, the call charges from the Small Isles are determined on the same principles as call charges elsewhere in the system.
§ Mr. JohnstonWould not the right hon. Gentleman agree that the fact that all calls have to go from the Small Isles through Mallaig should be considered, because the cost of calls directly to Mallaig is more expensive than those between the Small Isles? Surely this is illogical and does not take proper account of social factors.
§ Mr. BennThe hon. Gentleman knows that this is a complicated question, because we have corresponded about it and discussed it, and I promised that I would give it sympathetic consideration, which I have done. The cost of calls between Eigg, Muck, Rum and Canna and Mallaig were all reduced in 1958, but the routing of the call cannot be a factor in deciding the charge, for within the telephone system calls sometimes take quite roundabout routes in order to meet the operational needs of the service. I do not think it possible to go beyond the concessions made in 1958, when very substantial reductions were effected.