§ Mr. ANSTRUTHER-GRAYasked the Postmaster-General whether he is aware that on Monday, 16th December, there was a 40 minutes' delay between 9 and 10 p.m. on calls between London and Glasgow; and whether he will take steps to obviate this delay?
§ Major TRYONThe reduction from 2s. 9d. to 1s. of the charge for an evening call between London and Glasgow led to such an increase in those calls that the available channels had to be increased from 21 to 33. At the beginning of this week with the approach of Christmas there was a further sharp rise in the traffic and seven additional channels, making 40 in all, have now been brought into use. No further channels are available and, though every endeavour will be made to avoid delay, I am afraid that while the present seasonal pressure continues some measure of delay must be anticipated.
§ Mr. GARRO-JONESasked the Postmaster-General what telephone facilities, if any, are enjoyed by newspapers under more favourable conditions than the general public?
§ Major TRYONNo discrimination is made between newspaper proprietors and others in regard to charges for telephone facilities.