§ 21. Sir J. Langford-Holtasked the Postmaster-General if, as a means of cutting increases in telephone charges from telephone boxes in units of 3d. or 6d., he will introduce a telephone token which can be purchased anywhere and of which the price can be varied by small amounts as and when needed.
§ Mr. Edward ShortNo, Sir. Adjustment in charges need not affect the coins used. Tokens would have to be specially provided and would need to be unique to telephone coinboxes. The costs would be prohibitive.
§ Sir J. Langford-HoltSurely the right hon. Gentleman would agree that any future change in phone charges, which one presumes would be upwards and not downwards, would involve the use of two coins and an increase in costs of at least 50 per cent.? Is this what he intends?