§ Sir A. SINCLAIRasked the Postmaster-General in how many cases in the last three years guarantees have been demanded by the Post Office as a condition of extending the telephone in rural districts in Scotland; what was the total amount of such guarantees; in how may cases recourse has been had to the 376W guarantors to make up any deficiency on the cost of the service; and what is the total amount of money paid to the General Post Office in respect of these guarantees?
§ Sir K. WOODDuring the past three years guarantees have been required in Scotland in 27 cases, all in connection with the provision of telephone call offices in rural districts. The total amount guaranteed is £594 10s. a year. Nine of the call offices have not yet been in service for a year, but it has been necessary to make demands upon the guarantors in respect of all but one of the remaining 18. These demands number 29 in the period stated; and the total amount paid or awaiting payment is £568 14s. 10d. As a result of the concession which I announced on 29th April concerning the provision of additional telephone facilities in rural districts, the guarantees in nearly half these cases will be cancelled as from 1st May.