10 OCTOBER 1987, Page 26

Time and a half

Sir: In reply to Mr Bowness's letter (12 September), I would like to point out that our sponsorship of the Speaking Clock has, in fact, ensured that subscribers continue to pay simply the standard rate. for a local call.

I understand from British Telecom that in the absence of our sponsorship, regula- tions concerning phone-in services would have forced the Speaking Clock to become a premium rate service charged at up to 38 pence per minute. As such, the arrange- ment between British Telecom and ourselves represents a distinct advantage and saving to all of the 250,000,000 users of the service annually.

Andrew Loftus

Managing Director, Accurist, 27 Camden Road, London NW1