§ Mr. Kenneth Bakerasked the Postmaster-General what steps he proposes to take to produce a more uniform calling pattern in the telephone service; and if he proposes to introduce a peak period rate as recommended by the Report of the National Board for Prices and Incomes on Post Office charges.
§ Mr. StonehouseWe are running a publicity campaign to encourage the public to make off-peak calls, and so produce a more uniform calling pattern. Further campaigns are planned.
Most off-peak calls were made cheaper last October. Higher charges for calls at peak periods were also introduced at that time. These were broadly in line with the recommendations of the National Board for Prices and Incomes, but the precise pattern suggested was not adopted because it is important that the charging structure should be readily understood by our customers as well as by the P.O. staff who operate it.