§ Mr. MacArthurasked the Postmaster-General how many telephone subscribers this year were subject to additional rental charges in country districts; what average additional rental was paid by them in a full year; how many applicants now awaiting connection will be subject to the excess connection charge; what will be the average cost; and what are the figures for Scotland, and England and Wales, respectively.
§ Mr. BevinsAbout 3,000 subscribers in country districts have been paying excess telephone rentals, the total excess rentals amounting to about £45,000 a year. I am sorry that the other information asked for by my hon. Friend is not readily available. In relation to the changes which I announced on Monday last, the excess connection charge will not be payable by any new subscriber to whom an application form had been sent, for signature, before the 26th July.