§ 74. Mr. E. L. Mallalieuasked the Post master-General whether he will consider reducing the rental for a telephone in view 41W of the need for persons living in comparative isolation to be in touch with the world around them in cases of emergency, even if they cannot afford frequent telephoning.
§ Mr. MarplesNo.
§ 75. Mr. Ness Edwardsasked the Postmaster-General what will be the estimated effect on the telephone revenue of the proposed changes in telephone charges.
§ Mr. MarplesThe proposed changes are expected to reduce income by about £8 million a year.
§ 76. Mr. Ness Edwardsasked the Postmaster-General what has been the number of telephone subscribers requesting the withdrawal of their telephones for each week following the announcement of the charges which operated from 1st October.
§ Mr. MarplesThe following is the reply:
Week ended Number of withdrawal noitces 26th July 18,417 2nd August 13,121 9th August 10,466 16th August 9,673 23rd August 7,549 30th August 8,032 6th September 10,128 13th September 7,205 20th September 5,917 27th September 5,606 4th October 6,798 11th October 4,939 18th October 3,574 25th October 3,439 1st November 4,292 8th November 4,614 The average weekly rate prior to the announcement of the tariff increases was 3,600.