§ Mr. W. THORNEasked the Postmaster-General the total amount of deposits placed to the credit of telephone subscribers; and for what purpose the interest accruing from such deposits is being used?
§ Viscount WOLMERThe amount standing in the books as subscribers' deposits at 30th September last was about £2,500,000. It forms in the first instance part of the general balances of the Post Office out of which, after providing the necessary working balance, weekly payments are made to the Exchequer on account of Post Office revenue earned and in hand. As accounts for telephone call fees (trunk and local) are rendered at a considerable interval after the services have been performed, it follows that the amounts in question, although standing in the books as deposits, are in fact as a1944W general rule more than balanced by the accrued liabilities of subscribers for which accounts have not yet been rendered.
§ Sir R. THOMASasked the Postmaster-General what is the number of telephone subscribers in the London area whose names and addresses are omitted by request from the telephone directory; and whether, in view of the extra trouble and inconvenience which they cause to the Department, but for which they do not pay, he will consider making consent to the publication of the subscriber's name and address a condition of having a telephone installed?
§ Viscount WOLMERAbout 9,000 subscribers in the London area have asked that their names shall not appear in the telephone directory. I do not think it would be desirable to impose the condition referred to in the latter part of the question. Subscribers concerned have been approached with a view to obtaining their consent to the insertion of their names in the telephone directory, and if this appeal meets with little success the taking of other measures will be considered.