§ 20. Mr. Geoffrey Cooperasked the Postmaster-General what plans he has for overhauling all public call boxes between now and the 1951 Exhibition, with a view to giving a better impression to visitors to this country of the standards of the post office telephone service; in particular, for the maintenance of public kiosks at a higher level of repair and cleanliness; and if he will introduce no smoking notices in all boxes.
§ Mr. Ness EdwardsSteps are being taken at the present time to attain a high standard of up-keep and cleaning of public telephone kiosks. I can assure my hon. Friend that everything possible will continue to be done to make them a credit to this country. I do not propose to introduce no smoking notices which would, in my opinion, be ineffective in any case.
§ Mr. CooperDoes my right hon. Friend not agree that the standards of a country are judged by foreign visitors more by the public services than, perhaps, by the standards of any particular exhibition, and will he consider doing some of his telephoning from a public kiosk occasionally to check up on the standards maintained?
§ Mr. Ness EdwardsI do that, and our standards are better now than before the war.
§ Mr. ErrollWill the right hon. Gentleman also ensure the introduction of up-to-date coin boxes as soon as possible?