§ Colonel DAYasked the Postmaster-General whether, in view of the fact that. a telephone subscriber who makes 76 calls per quarter pays, on an average, 7d. for each such call made, he will consider a reduction of telephone rentals with a view to popularising telephones among private users?
§ Viscount WOLMERIt is necessary to provide, for a subscriber's exclusive use, a special circuit between his premises and the telephone exchange, together with certain apparatus at the exchange. The cost of providing and maintaining this plant is the same whether a subscriber uses his telephone much or little and is reimbursed by the rental. The cost of operating calls and of maintaining jointly-used plant is paid for separately by the message fees. The fact therefore that some subscribers make little use of their telephone affords no opportunity for making 'a reduction of telephone rentals. The figure quoted in the question takes no account of inward calls.