§ Mr. SAMUEL ROBERTSasked the Postmaster-General whether he is aware that official notice has been served on the Royal Infirmary, Sheffield, that on and after 1st January, 1913, a charge of £6 will be made for each 500 calls; whether he is aware that this charge will amount to about £80 a year, as compared with £13 5s. previously charged by the National Telephone Company; and whether he will make arrangements for this and similar institutions to be provided with telephonic communication free of charge or at reduced rates?
§ Mr. HERBERT SAMUELThe National Telephone Company provided an exchange line to the Sheffield Royal Infirmary free of charge, together with certain extension lines, for which they charged £13 5s. a year. In view of the general obligations imposed by the Telegraph Acts not to show favour or preference in charging for services, I am unable to continue preferential terms for telephone lines in this case, or in similar cases; but there seems to be a misapprehension as to the amount which will be payable by the institution. The charge of £6 is the minimum charge for an exchange line, including 500 calls, but additional calls are charged for at much lower rates.