§ Sir A. HOLBROOkasked the Postmaster-General whether he is aware that the German telephone authorities initiated at the beginning of the present year a new plan of telephone service by instalments, which was designed to popularise the telephone amongst small shopkeepers and in the private homes of persons of moderate means; and that already 25,000 applications have been made under this scheme, including 5,000 in Berlin; and whether he will consider the inauguration of a similar scheme in this country?
§ Sir W. MITCHELL-THOMSONMy hon. and gallant Friend's question is evidently based on a misapprehension. Under the German system a telephone subscriber, in addition to the normal rental charge, is also required to make an initial payment of £4 plus an installation charge which varies with the cost of providing his service. It is to this installation charge that the concession of payment by instalments applies; but, as no such charge is levied in this country, the question does not arise.