§ Mr. Arthur Lewisasked the Minister of Posts and Telecommunications (1) whether he will introduce legislation to prevent the Post Office from increasing telephone service charges and rental charges in arrears after having entered into legally binding agreement with their user clients;
(2) whether he will introduce the necessary legislation to enable members of the public to sue the Post Office for damages and return of monies obtained by them in charging for services not rendered and increasing charges, in arrears, after having accepted in advance under a contract of service fees and payments on an agreed basis.
§ Mr. ChatawayI cannot answer for the last Government, who approved increases 35W to take effect from 1st July, or the Post Office who consequentially collected arrears of rentals owing from that date, but I see no need to change the law on this or the statutory basis of charging.
§ Mr. Barry Jonesasked the Minister of Posts and Telecommunications if he will issue a general direction to the Post Office to speed up telephone provision in new owner-occupied estates.
§ Mr. ChatawayNo. Provision of telephone service is a management matter for the Post Office.