§ Mr. ROBINSONasked the Postmaster-General whether he can make a statement as to the results of the recent reductions in night telephone charges for trunk calls?
§ Sir K. WOODThe recent reductions in the charges for night trunk calls were an immediate and striking success, and it is already clear that a substantial public demand for the regular social use of the long-distance telephone service is being met under financially sound conditions. Over the longest distances the increase of traffic was so large and so sudden that on a limited number of routes abnormal delays were inevitable. Urgent measures were at once taken to remedy the initial difficulties, and I am glad to say that these measures, though not yet complete, have already resulted in the restoration of demand working on all but the longest routes on which delays are now considerably reduced. I should like to take this opportunity to refer to the excellent way in which the operating staff have responded to the situation, and to the public-spiritedness of the business men who so readily acceded to the request of the Post Office to be allowed to use their private wires during the evening hours.