HC Deb 26 June 1913 vol 54 cc1240-1W
Mr. DENMAN

asked the Postmaster-General whether his attention has been called to the publicly expressed complaint of Mr. H. J. Webb in regard to the changes in his telephone number; and whether he proposes to take any steps in the matter?

Mr. HERBERT SAMUEL

My attention has been drawn to a letter from Mr. H. J. Webb, which appeared recently in several newspapers. In it he complained that his telephone numbers were to be altered for the fourth time, at the same premises and under the same management. The fact is that no change whatever has been made by the Post Office in this subscriber's numbers prior to the present time, when it is proposed to combine his two lines on the Holborn Exchange and one on the Central Exchange under a single number. This arrangement will improve the subscriber's service, because each line will be available for inward calls when the others are engaged without the necessity for the calling subscriber asking for another number. Four years ago the National Telephone Company made a similar change for a similar reason with respect to the two lines which Mr. Webb then rented. This complaint is typical of many which appear in the columns of the Press.