§ 19. Mr. McENTEEasked the Postmaster-General to what extent the measures taken by his Department to prevent pilfering from telephone kiosks have been successful during 1933?
§ The POSTMASTER-GENERAL (Sir Kingsley Wood)The success of the steps taken to prevent pilfering from telephone kiosks is measured by the reduction in the aggregate amount stolen from about £4,000 in 1932 to about £500 in 1933.
§ 20. Mr. GOLDIEasked the Postmaster-General what saving in expenditure has been effected by the introduction of the dialling system on telephones in the London area?
§ Sir K. WOODIt is difficult to assess precisely the savings so far effected by the introduction of the dialling system in London. It is, however, estimated that, despite the difficulties of the transition period, a saving at the rate of £50,000 per annum had been secured by the 31st October, 1933. The annual savings will materially increase as conversion proceeds.
§ 21. Mr. GOLDIEasked the Postmaster-General what is the estimated cost of a telephone to a private resident in the London area originating 1,000 local calls annually; and how does such cost compare with the last period, when a flat rate was in force and no charge incurred for individual local calls?
§ Sir K. WOODThe amount paid by a private resident telephone subscriber in London, making 1,000 local calls a year, is £10 13s. 4d. The unlimited-service 17 rate in operation immediately before the introduction of the present message-rate tariff in 1921 was £20 a year.