§ Mr. MACQUISTENasked the Postmaster-General whether he is aware that in the United States when a person wishes to make a trunk call he instructs the operator to call up the party required, and if the latter be not available the operator advises the caller and the call is not charged for, while in this country if anyone answers the call merely to say that the person desired is out the full tariff is charged; and whether, as London business men are not always in their offices or homes when rung up from a distance, he will for the future adopt the practice of the United States and charge only when speech is had with the person asked for?
§ Mr. ILLINGWORTHThe question of accepting telephone calls for particular persons instead of for particular telephone numbers has been considered; but in view of the useless occupation of the lines which would be involved if trunk calls had to be repeated several times until the person 1813W desired was in attendance, it has not hitherto been found practicable to do anything in the direction suggested by the hon. Member. When there are enough trunk lines to give a prompt service in ordinary conditions, the matter will be considered. I am informed that the policy with regard to "particular person" calls in the United States has recently been considerably modified. A special charge over and above the ordinary tariff (which is much higher than the British tariff) is now made for such calls, and a portion of the charge is retained if the person required is not in attendance.