§ Sir N. GRATTAN-DOYLEasked the Postmaster-General whether he is aware that the additional charge for the new hand-set pattern telephone has now been reduced in America by 50 per cent.; whether he is now in a position to benefit subscribers in this country by a similar reduction; and by how many quarterly payments at the present rate of 4s. per quarter the additional cost to the department, apart from the possibility of maintenance charge, will be adequately met?
§ Mr. LEES-SMITHI am aware that the Bell telephone system in America have reduced the charge for this type of instrument in some of their areas to the equivalent of 12s. per annum. As I have previously stated, the rental will be reduced if this be found practicable in the light of experience here. As regards the latter part of the question, I regret that I cannot furnish any information which would go far towards indicating the cost of the instrument, contract prices being regarded as confidential.