REDUCED CHARGES

Evening Post, Volume CXXII, Issue 13, 15 July 1936, Page 11

REDUCED CHARGES

TELEPHONES IN BRITAIN

(British Official Vrtreless.} RUGBY, July 13. Further important concessions to telephone users were announced today in the House of Commons by the Post-master-General, Major Try on, who said that since October, 1934, when a series of reductions in telephone charges was inaugurated, the growth of the system had been remarkable. The annual increase in telephones was now about double that of the years preceding the reduction of rates. The principal new concession is that from October 1 every residential subscriber will be able to make 200 penny local calls yearly free of charge. Major Tryon said that in a large number of cases this would mean that a quarterly telephone rental of £1 would cover all normal charges for the service, and claimed with pride that the Post Office was thus offering inclusive services for the small residential user in all but the largest cities at a figure closely approximating Is 6d weekly. At the same time all ordinary residential subscribers would secure a benefit up to 4s 2d in each quarter. Other reductions are made in favour of small business users. The total reductions made during the present year are estimated to involve a sacrifice of revenue, after allowing for additional business induced by the lower rates of £1,500,000 in a full year