§ Colonel Carverasked the Postmaster-General why Post Office telephone accounts are sent out six months in arrear; and, as it is impossible for subscribers to check these, if he will have them sent at least quarterly.
§ Captain CrookshankSix-monthly accounts were introduced as a war-time measure. The change has effected a substantial saving in man-power and paper, and I regret that circumstances do not at present permit of a return to the previous arrangement of quarterly and monthly accounts.
§ Colonel Carverasked the Postmaster-General what is the amount now held by him as subscribers' deposits which have been paid by subscribers on installation; and why it is now necessary to charge one quarter's rent in advance.
§ Captain CrookshankThe amount now held by the Post Office as subscribers' 645W deposits is, roughly, £837,000. These deposits, which relate only to agreements taken before 1934, were intended to safeguard the revenue against loss on call charges, which are payable in arrear. Subscribers have always been required to pay rental in advance, which results in reducing the number of bad debts and the amount of correspondence.