§ Mr. O. LEWISasked the Postmaster-General why the increase in the number of telephone subscribers for the year 1930–31 was less than that for any of the preceding six years?
§ Mr. ATTLEEThe falling-off in the net telephone growth in 1930–31 is due to the prevailing economic depression. The falling off in 1930 in Germany and the United States of America was very much greater, being about 75 per cent. and 85 per cent., respectively, as against 15 per cent. in this country.
§ Brigadier-General CLIFTON BROWNasked the Postmaster General whether any instructions have been issued to discontinue the custom of warning telephone subscribers of the expiration of their three minutes for a toll or trunk call; and whether callers are now charged for
828WKingdom imports and exports with Sweden, Finland and Russia for the years ended 1929 and 1930?
§ Mr. GILLETTThe following table shows the total declared value of merchandise imported into and exported from the United Kingdom during 1929 and 1930 registered as consigned from and to Sweden, Finland and the Soviet Union (Russia), together with the excess of imports over exports, both in value and expressed as a percentage of the total imports.
an extra call on expiry of the three minutes without any notice; and, if so, whether public notification has been given of this change in procedure?
§ Mr. ATTLEEThe answer to the first and second parts of the question is in the negative; the third part does not, therefore, arise.
§ Mr. C. WILLIAMSasked the Post-master-General whether there is any prospect of the reduction of the rentals of telephones due to the introduction of the automatic system?
§ Mr. ATTLEEIn view of the relatively small surplus on the telephone account, I regret that a reduction in rentals is at present impracticable.