§ Mr. NIELDasked the Postmaster-General whether, in the registration of telephone calls, there is anything to protect the subscriber from being charged as an effective call in cases where the wrong number is connected by the exchange, or where for other reasons no effective through communication has been obtained?
§ Captain NORTONThe rules of the telephone service provide that the telephonists shall supervise each call with the view of ensuring that it is duly effected, and a call is not registered against the subscriber if the telephonist observes, or is informed, by the subscriber that a wrong number has been connected, or that the call has failed for any other reason. At the principal exchanges special electrical signals are provided to assist the telephonist to ascertain whether a call has been duly effected. If the hon. Member would like to inspect the system of registration I shall be happy to arrange for him to do so.