HC Deb 21 February 1922 vol 150 c1742W
Mr. GILLIS

asked the Postmaster-General whether it is the policy of his Department to permit private corporations to own telephone cabinets at places of public resort and to allow them to fix their own charges for the privilege of using the Post Office telephone system; whether this practice is in operation at stations other than the London and North Western Railway at Euston; and, having regard to the condition in which the box is kept and to the excessive charge which is levied, whether he will resume the right to control the whole of the service which is performed by the Post Office Telephone Department?

Mr. KELLAWAY

The Post Office cannot establish or control call boxes on the premises of railway companies without their consent. Certain railway companies prefer to keep the provision and control of the call boxes at their termini in their own hands, and, like other subscribers, they are at liberty to make a charge in excess of the Post Office Call Office fee if they allow the public the use -of their premises and telephones.