asked the Minister for Posts and Telegraphs whether he is aware that the telephone rent of £7 10s. charged in Bantry and other West Cork towns is considerably in excess of the charge in towns like Midleton, Cove, and Kilmallock, and if he will take steps to reduce the charges in Bantry and other West Cork towns.

I am aware of the difference in the rentals. The explanation is that the Exchanges at Midleton, Cobh, etc., were established many years ago when plant and construction costs were substantially lower than in recent years when the Bantry and other Exchanges in West Cork were provided. £7 10s. is, in accordance with the existing scale, the rental for exchanges opened in recent years. The regulation in this respect is due to the fact that lower rentals would be uneconomic and would involve the Department in loss.

Is the Parliamentary Secretary aware that as a result of the imposition of this rent certain users of the telephone have ceased to use it? Is he aware that it hardly tallies with his general statement as to the policy of the Department in regard to the encouragement of the use of the telephone?

I am not aware that any subscribers in Bantry have discontinued the use of the telephone because of the charge. As I explained, £7 10s. is the minimum rate in accordance with our scale. I have explained on many occasions, a reduction of the rate of charge would result in a loss, or in a smaller profit than is being made at the present time.

Would the Parliamentary Secretary take the opportunity of making some inquiries as to whether, in fact, certain subscribers have had the telephone disconnected because of the rate of charge?

This is a question involving subscribers all over the country. No matter what the results of the inquiry in regard to the Bantry situation might be, we could not allow the position at Bantry to be altered without altering the general situation throughout the country.