§ Sir R. HAMILTONasked the Postmaster-General whether telephone call offices will be installed at Finstown and Dounby and other important rural centres on the mainland of Orkney; and whether he is aware that when the Post Office was asking for subscribers a promise was given that call offices would be installed at all post offices on the mainland?
§ Sir W. MITCHELL-THOMSONTelephone call offices at the places to which the hon. Member refers are not expected to pay their way, and can only be provided under a guarantee to defray any loss incurred by the Post Office. Negotiations are proceeding with the respective local authorities, and I hope that the necessary guarantees will be forthcoming in several of the places concerned. I am definitely assured that the officials, who canvassed for subscribers in the Orkneys, gave no such promise as that suggested by the hon. Member.