§ Mr. Henderson Stewartasked the Postmaster-General whether he has considered the representations of the Association of County Councils in Scotland for an adjustment of telephone charges, whereby in the case of additional telephone lines required for air-raid precautions plans the lines only should be laid at present, as the cost of time and material, leaving the instruments to be installed if and when an emergency arrives, and if, in order to avoid further delays in the completion of air-raid precautions preparations, he will adopt the proposals of the association and make the necessary arrangements with the Post Office?
§ Mr. MabaneI have considered the representations of the Association of County Councils in Scotland, but I regret that there are serious objections to the adoption of the proposal. Even if telephone instruments were not installed at present, they must be held in readiness together with the line plant and exchange equipment, and since the actual work of connecting the instruments represents only a small part of the total cost of providing a telephone circuit there would be little saving in deferring this part of the work. Furthermore, it is very desirable that the installations should be completed now since in an emergency the resources of the Post Office would be severely taxed and it could not guarantee the prompt installation of a number of telephone instruments during a state of emergency. So far as I am aware, no delays in the completion of air-raid precautions preparations are being caused on this account. My right hon. Friend the Lord Privy Seal has made it quite clear to local authorities that telephones required for air-raid precautions must be subject to normal rentals, which in approved circumstances will rank for Home Office grant.