HC Deb 08 March 1927 vol 203 cc1044-5
55. Captain CROOKSHANK

asked the Postmaster-General whether he can form any estimate of what would be the cost of installing a public telephone call box in every post office in this country?

Sir W. MITCHELL-THOMSON

No reliable figure can be given without compiling an estimate Air each individual office, but the total would probably be not less than £2,000,000.

59 and 61. Mr. RILEY

asked the Postmaster-General (1) the terms for installation, annual rental, and call charges for telephones in rural and urban areas, respectively; and what are the conditions upon which telephones are installed in both cases;

(2) the charges for rural telephones in Great Britain?

Sir W. MITCHELL-THOMSON

The terms upon which telephone service is provided vary somewhat for London, certain large provincial towns and other parts of the country, and according to whether exclusive or party line circuits are provided. Detailed information on the subject does not lend itself readily to an oral reply, and I would therefore refer the hon. Member to pages 109–112 of the Post Office Guide, where he will find all relevant information fully set out.

60. Mr. RILEY

asked the Postmaster-General the number of telephones per 1,000 of the inhabitants in Great Britain?

Sir W. MITCHELL-THOMSON

The number of telephones per 1,000 of the inhabitants in Great Britain and Northern Ireland is now 33.

Mr. RILEY

How do those figures compare with Dominion countries like Canada and Australia?

Sir W. MITCHELL-THOMSON

The last date for which I have figures is, I think, 31st December, 1925. Then we came about tenth on the list of telephone-using countries.

Sir J. NALL

Does that indicate the slow development of the telephone under Government control?

Sir W. MITCHELL-THOMSON

The relative position is distinctly improving.

57. Mr. LOOKER

(forMr. RHYS) asked the Postmaster-General the number of applications for rural telephone exchanges during the last three years, respectively, for which figures are available, and the number authorised?

Sir W. MITCHELL-THOMSON

The number of new rural exchanges authorised during the years 1924, 1925 and 1926 was 211, 191 and 141 respectively. The total number of applications is not available without considerable labour and expense.

58. Mr. LOOKER

(forMr. RHYS) asked the Postmaster-General the number of rural telephone exchanges in operation in the years 1911, 1912 and 1913; and the number in operation in the years 1924, 1925 and 1926?

Sir W. MITCHELL-THOMSON

The number of telephone exchanges serving rural areas in Great Britain and Northern Ireland working at the end of 1911, 1913, 1924, 1925 and 1926 was as follows:

1911 1047
1913 1254
1924 2307
1925 2522
1926 2684

Figures are not available for 1912.