asked the Postmaster-General how many telephone subscribers this year were subject to additional rental charges in country districts; what average additional rental was paid by them in a full year; how many applicants now awaiting connection will be subject to the excess connection charge; what will be the average cost; and what are the figures for Scotland, and England and Wales, respectively.
About 3,000 subscribers in country districts have been paying excess telephone rentals, the total excess rentals amounting to about £45,000 a year. I am sorry that the other information asked for by my hon. Friend is not readily available. In relation to the changes which I announced on Monday last, the excess connection charge will not be payable by any new subscriber to whom an application form had been sent, for signature, before the 26th July.