Mr. ACLANDasked the Postmaster-General what difficulties would arise if residence subscribers were allowed 200 free calls per year instead of 50 free calls per quarter; and will he favourably consider making such a change?
§ Major TRYONThe concession to residence subscribers of a number of free calls each quarter was given in the belief that it would tend to encourage the use of the telephone more or less evenly throughout the year and would stimulate the development of the service. There would be serious disadvantages if it were permissible for the free calls to be saved up and used mainly in one quarter. For example, if 200 free calls were allowed in one quarter and were made at or about Christmas time, or during the summer season, serious staffing difficulties would be caused. In the circumstances I regret that I cannot agree to make the suggested change.
Mr. ANDERSONasked the Postmaster-General how many miles of telephone lines are above ground; how many miles of telephone lines have been placed underground during the last six months in the county of Cumberland; and what is the estimated man power to be employed if the whole of the lines were placed underground in this county during the next 12 months?
§ Major TRYONThere are about 800 miles of pole route, representing some 19,700 miles of wire in the county of Cumberland. About 580 miles of wire have been placed underground during the last six months. It would be impracticable to place the whole of the lines underground, and it is therefore not possible to answer the last part of the question; but the hon. Member may like to know that the programme during the next six months provides for the laying in Cumberland of 7,200 additional miles of underground wire and the taking down of 5,900 miles of overhead wire.