HC Deb 22 April 1931 vol 251 cc966-7
33. Mr. PYBUS

asked the Postmaster-General whether he will consider the provision of telephone kiosks either inside or outside rural post offices in which, at the present time, it is impossible to conduct a private telephone conversation?

The ASSISTANT POSTMASTER-GENERAL (Mr. Viant)

I am prepared to provide telephone cabinets inside, or telephone kiosks outside, rural post offices in all cases where it is anticipated that the additional revenue obtained will approximate to the extra annual charges involved.

Mr. PYBUS

Will the hon. Gentleman explain how, from a service which is at present useless because it lacks privacy, he can get any figures on which to estimate whether under proper conditions the service would be successful?

Mr. VIANT

During the past two years we have opened 4,300 call offices in rural districts throughout the country, and we can only base our estimates of the anticipated loss on these services on the experience that we have already obtained.

Major COLFOX

What is the extra cost involved?

Mr. DOUGLAS HACKING

Can the hon. Member tell me of one single kiosk In the country where it is really possible to have private conversation?

Mr. PYBUS

Are not most of these rural exchanges in noisy shops, without any privacy, so that the private business of the person telephoning is known and enjoyed by the whole village?