Mr. A. T. DAVIESasked the Postmaster-General whether, in view of the general opposition of chambers of commerce, city and town councils, influential trading firms, and the public generally, it is proposed to modify the increase in telephone rates recently announced; and, if so, whether an opportunity will be afforded for a discussion on this subject?
§ Mr. ILLINGWORTHI understand that an opportunity will be given for a discussion on the Address.
§ Sir H. NIELDasked the Postmaster-General (1) whether it is proposed to put into force the variation in the methods of charging and the increases in the telephone charges before the recommendations of the Committee as to the provision of proper safeguards to ensure the accuracy of accounts and protection of the subscriber are set up and in operation; and if he will refrain from imposing the change until after Parliament has been able to discuss the subject;
(2) whether owners of telephone contracts which ensure the benefit of unlimited calls and whose contracts have now been formally terminated will be enabled to have the continuation of such facilities from the expiration of their contracts until the actual imposition of the new methods and charges; and whether, in any amended form of agree- 296W ment to be imposed on subscribers, he will consider the desirability of inserting a more equitable clause enabling an impartial tribunal to adjust questions of account in dispute in place of those clauses at present existing which virtually take away the right of the courts and imposes the supreme will of the Postmaster-General as the sole and final arbitrator?
§ Mr. G. BALFOURasked the Postmaster-General whether, in view of the admitted difficulty of securing accuracy in checking the number of telephone calls, he will reconsider the advisability of continuing the system of charging some fixed rate for unlimited service; and failing this, if the charges to be made are based on the number of calls, whether the subscriber will be supplied by the Post Office authorities with the means of checking calls?
§ Mr. ILLINGWORTHThe Post Office is continually experimenting with telephone matters, but no satisfactory instrument for use at the subscriber's installation has yet been designed. If and when a reliable instrument is invented, the Post Office will agree to instal it, if a subscriber desires it and is prepared to pay the additional cost. But I would point out that such a meter would not increase the accuracy of registration, but would merely provide the subscriber at his own house with a duplicate of the record made on the meter at the Exchange. The new rates do not commence to apply to existing subscribers (that is, those connected prior to the 10th January of this year) until the 1st April next. Careful consideration is given to any specific complaint as to the accuracy of the Post Office records; but I cannot accept the proposal to set up a special tribunal to deal with disputed accounts. Nor am I, for the reasons stated in the Memorandum (Cd. 1143) which has been presented to Parliament, prepared to continue a fixed rate for unlimited service.