§ Mr. FREEMANasked the Postmaster-General the minimum conditions necessary to establish a telephone exchange and a telephone call office?
§ Mr. LEES-SMITHThere is no minimum laid down as regards the number of subscribers required before a rural telephone exchange can be established. In cases where at least eight new subscribers are obtained, a basic rental of £8 a year is chargeable, and when the number of subscribers reaches 15 the1002W ordinary tariffs apply. Where fewer than eight subscribers are forthcoming, the rentals are assessed on a costs basis. Fuller information on the subject is contained on page 121 of the Post Office Guide. A telephone call office would normally be provided as a matter of course at or near the exchange. Telephone call offices are established at rural sub-post offices and railway stations within two miles of an exchange provided a call office does not already exist within a half mile. At sub-post offices distant more than two miles from an exchange, call offices are opened without guarantee if the anticipated loss does not exceed £10 a year.