§ Mr. D. G. SOMERVILLEasked the Postmaster-General whether his Department has considered the adoption of a lower telephone rent for private residents whose use of the facility is infinitesimal compared with its use in business offices; and, if so, with what result?
§ Mr. LEES-SMITHThe rental for a telephone circuit to a private residence is already less by 30s. per annum than that for a circuit to business premises. The rental is designed to cover the costs of providing and maintaining the necessary telephone circuit and equipment for the subscriber and these costs do not depend on the amount of use made of the service. A further reduction in the telephone rental is not practicable at present.