asked the Minister for Posts and Telegraphs why his Department charge a fee of 7/6d. per quarter for furnishing details to subscribers of trunk calls alleged to have been made by them, having regard to the fact that the common practice in business is to furnish accounts without charge to the addressees; and if he will state the statutory authority for making such a charge, the date upon which any order or direction authorising the charge was made; and by whom such order or direction was made.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Fee for Details of Trunk Calls.
37.
Mr. Ryan
The fee referred to is charged to subscribers who desire to have details, additional to those normally given in the telephone accounts, supplied to them each quarter and is for the purpose of covering the extra cost involved. The alternative would be to pass the cost on to subscribers generally, the great majority of whom do not seek for such details.
The practice of charging for the service was carried over from the previous administration in 1922. The charge is made under the Minister's general powers.