§ Mr. Stratton Millsasked the Postmaster-General if he will state the days on which telephone calls are available only at the full rate and the reasons for this, together with the method by which these special charges are brought to the notice of telephone subscribers.
§ Mr. BevinsThe cheap rates normally apply from 6 p.m. to 6 a.m. each day and all day on Sunday.
To assist in keeping to a minimum the number of operating staff who have to be on duty during the Christmas season, it has been the practice for many years to suspend the cheap rates on certain days at Christmas and the New Year. The detailed arrangements on the last occasion were:
For trunk calls made via the operator, the cheap rates were suspended in England, Wales and Northern Ireland as follows:
- 24th December—From 6 p.m.
- 25th December—from midnight to 6 a.m. and from 6 p.m.
- 26th December—from midnight to 6 a.m. and from 6 p.m.
- 1st January—from 6 p.m.
In Scotland:
- 25th December—from 6 p.m.
- 31st December—from 6 p.m.
- 1st January—from midnight to 6 a.m. and from 6 p.m.
- 2nd January—from midnight to 6 a.m. and from 6 p.m.
The cheap rates were not suspended on STD calls.
These arrangements were notified to the Press before Christmas as part of the notice about Post Office services during the Christmas period.
Telephone operators have instructions to ensure that anyone making a call during the periods listed above is aware that full rates are in force.