asked the Minister for Posts and Telegraphs the reason a person (details supplied) in County Dublin who paid his telephone account in full on 6 October 1981 was disconnected notwithstanding payment of his account on that date; if he is aware that the service was reconnected on 19 October 1981 and that a reconnection fee of £10 was charged; and if the subscriber will now be credited with the £10 already debited to him.

This subscriber's final notice to pay his account within seven days issued on 16 September and as payment was not received instructions to withdraw outward telephone service were issued on 7 October. This was done on 9 October. The subscriber paid his account on 6 October but this payment had not been brought to account before the disconnection instruction issued. In the circumstances the charge of £10 for reconnection of service is being waived.

Would it not be reasonable to expect the Department to inspect the accounts before cutting off this subscriber? The Department had three days in which to check the account.

I apologise to the subscriber to whom this happened. It will not happen again. This happened to me before I became a Member of this House so I have personal experience of the situation.

Could I ask the Minister to have a letter of apology sent to the subscriber concerned and a refund of the £10 with which he was debited for reconnection?

That has been waived.

Will the Minister send a letter of apology?

I will, of course.

Has that money been credited to the account of the consumer or refunded?

It has been cancelled. The money will be sent back.

24.