HC Deb 26 March 1947 vol 435 cc1211-2
2. Squadron-Leader Sir Gifford Fox

asked the Assistant Postmaster-General, why the local authority is being asked for a £4 yearly guarantee for a public telephone kiosk at Waterstock; and, in view of the fact that there has been a public telephone in the village since 1929, if he will erect the kiosk without demanding a guarantee, as the wires and poles already exist.

Mr. Burke

Circumstances at Water-stock justify the provision of a public telephone kiosk without contribution from the local authority and the kiosk will be erected as soon as the labour and supplies position permits.

Sir G. Fox

Will the Assistant Postmaster-General say why it was necessary to put this question and why a local authority was being blackmailed to pay this charge?

Mr. Speaker

The hon. and gallant Member asked why should a local authority be blackmailed. That is an insinuation and should not be used.

Sir G. Fox

I am sorry. I used a stronger word than I intended. I will withdraw and will substitute: "Why are they forced to pay this £4"?

Mr. Burke

Local authorities are asked to make this contribution so that the Department can judge the amount of business that is likely to be available in that district. In this case a mistake was made because at the time there was temporarily no post office there.

Mr. Jennings

Is the hon. Gentleman aware that this is the same policy that the electricity undertakings in this country under private enterprise have been carrying on for years?

Mr. Burke

I have nothing to do with electricity.

3. Sir G. Fox

asked the Assistant Postmaster-General the number of villages where no telephone kiosk exists giving 24-hour service; and those where there is a limited service during office hours of the post office.

Mr. Burke

I regret that the information asked for in the first part of the Question is not available. As regards the second part, the number is approximately 2,000.

Sir G. Fox

Is the Minister aware that if this telephone business was run by private enterprise these figures would be available, and will he take steps to have this information made available now?

Mr. Burke

It is because it is not being run by private enterprise that we are taking steps, and telephone kiosks will be put in all these 2,000 centres as soon as the supply position eases.

Mr. W. R. Williams

Is it not a fact that it was only because private enterprise made a real mess of the telephone service that it was handed over to the State?

4. Sir G. Fox

asked the Assistant Postmaster-General when he will erect a telephone kiosk in Drayton St. Leonards, as at present no facilities exist for telephoning outside the ordinary office hours of the sub-post office, in view of the fact that when the post office is shut there is no public telephone within two miles.

Mr. Burke

The provision of a telephone kiosk at Drayton St. Leonards is in hand, but I regret that owing to supply difficulties I do not expect it to be ready for service until about four months' time.

Sir G. Fox

Why is it to take four months when there is a telephone inside the post office, and why cannot the kiosk be built outside the post office, using the same wire and the same poles?

Mr. Burke

We cannot put a telephone outside until we have a kiosk, and we cannot get kiosks because private enterprise cannot supply them.