HC Deb 26 July 1937 vol 326 c2654
35. Mr. Day

asked the Postmaster-General, whether, in view of the fact that persons desiring to make an emergency call for police, fire, or ambulance from a manual telephone exchange call-box have to first insert two pennies in the call-box, he will see if some method of call can be devised to obviate this disadvantage in case the caller is not in possession of the necessary coins at the time of an emergency.

The Postmaster-General

(Major Tryon): Emergency calls can be made from all street kiosks, whether on manual or automatic exchanges, without the insertion of any money in the coin box. The call is made by means of an emergency pushbutton in the case of a kiosk on a manual exchange.

Mr. Day

Do we understand that these push buttons are in all kiosks.

Major Tryon

I understand that unfortunately one individual lost 2d. by not knowing how to put through an emergency call, but I think the two answers I have given in Parliament on this subject, and the correspondence, will avoid a similar disaster occurring again in the hon. Member's family.

Mr. Day

Will the right hon. Gentleman answer my question: are these push buttons in all public telephone kiosks?

Major Tryon

No. As I told the hon. Member in an earlier answer about the same 2d., they are not necessary in kiosks which are connected with automatic exchanges, where the call can be got through by dialling for the operator.

Mr. Day

Will the right hon. Gentleman please answer my question, and not refer to the 2d.?