asked the Minister for Posts and Telegraphs if it is correct that in rural post offices after 8 p.m. a disturbance fee of 1/- may be charged on a public call; and, if so, if he will make new arrangements by virtue of which whatever charge is to be made should be added to the official fee for the call, and the rural postmaster get his commission on such charge.
Questions— Written Answers. - Disturbance Fee on Rural Telephone Calls.
A sub-postmaster may charge a disturbance fee of 1/- in addition to the appropriate call fee, in respect of a call made from the call office in the post office outside the normal hours of attendance. The disturbance fee, when charged, is retained by the sub-postmaster; it is compensation for the disturbance occasioned to him and it is a matter for himself whether he collects it. The necessity for any change in this procedure which has been in operation for many years is not apparent.