§ Brigadier-General MAKINSasked the Postmaster-General if his Department has received many complaints in respect of the results of working of the standard instrument in the shape of a breastplate and hand receiver supplied in connection with private exchange equipment; whether he is aware that many subscribers prefer hand-set combinations either in the shape of a swinging transmitter or a combination of the transmitter and receiver in one; whether, when firms can make out a good case for having a hand set they can be supplied, 1811W and are supplied; and whether, in the interests of greater telephone efficiency, he will see that genuine complaints are more generally assisted in securing installations of this nature?
§ Sir W. MITCHELL-THOMSONSo far as can be ascertained, only one complaint of this character has been received at headquarters during the past few years, and I have no reason, therefore, for thinking that many subscribers prefer hand sets for use at their private branch switchboards. The transmission efficiency of the hand set at present available has been proved to be considerably inferior to that of the standard apparatus, and it is therefore only supplied in exceptional cases. An improved type of hand set has recently been produced and is being subjected to experimental tests.