asked the Postmaster-General (1) whether he will authorise a greater reduction in rental, than is at present customary, for those using a party line, to encourage a greater use of such lines;(2) whether he will provide for reduced charges for telephone calls made from party lines as an inducement to subscribers to use such lines.

I regret that increasing costs of equipment and labour rule out any further reduction in the charges for shared telephone service, which is already provided below cost.