§ 24. Mr. McEnteeasked the Home Secretary what is the number of police telephone boxes and posts which have been erected in the Metropolitan police district; what further number are to be erected to complete the scheme; what is the estimated total cost of the boxes and posts with the required electric equipment for working the system; what is the estimated annual cost of maintaining the system; and what is the number of occasions on which the system has been used by the public for genuine calls?
§ Sir S. Hoare707 boxes and posts have been erected, and 9 are required to complete the scheme on its present basis. The estimated installation cost, including electrical equipment, is about £37,650, and the annual maintenance cost (including telephone and electricity charges, cleaning and repairs) is £34,150. During the four months January to April last 4,000 calls by the public were made through the system and there is a tendency for such calls to increase. Availability for such calls is, however, only one aspect of the usefulness of these boxes, which constitute a most important part of the police communication system.
§ Mr. McEnteeCan the right hon. Gentleman say how much it works out per call? Is it not about £15?
§ Sir S. HoareThat would not be the case. That would be the calls made by the general public. The police make a much more frequent use of them.
§ Mr. McEnteeHow many calls were made by the police?
§ Sir S. HoareI do not know whether I can give the figure.