I very much regret that many telephone subscribers have been unable to use their telephones on account of the recent bad weather conditions. My hon. Friend will recognise, I am sure, that it is impossible to ensure immunity of the service from interruption in such abnormal weather. The low rentals now charged for telephone service (about 1s. 6d. a week) leave no margin for any general rebate in respect of interruption due to storms or other causes beyond the control of the Post Office; but I am always prepared to consider any individual case where circumstances may have been exceptional.