§ Sir J. Mellorasked the Postmaster-General whether, in view of the frequent and substantial delays in obtaining long-distance telephone calls between 7 p.m. and 10 p.m., caused by the popularity of the 1s. rate, he will introduce a higher preferential rate for urgent calls.
§ Captain WaterhouseAbout 60 per cent. of the total number of night calls are completed on demand, and I do not consider that the circumstances call for such a measure as my hon. Friend suggests. The cheap night call arrangement was reintroduced largely to meet the needs of men and women in the Services and of people affected by evacuation. I am not prepared to take any step which might place them at a disadvantage in the treatment of their calls, by introducing preference calls at a higher charge.