§ 30. Mrs. Alice Cullenasked the Assistant Postmaster-General if he will state the extent of damage to telephone kiosks caused by vandalism in Glasgow in the past 12 months; and the cost of repairing the same.
§ Mr. GammansIn the past 12 months there were 393 cases of damage to the structure or equipment of kiosks in Glasgow, costing £1,653 to repair. In addition 7,000 panes of glass were broken, costing £1,170 to replace.
§ Mrs. CullenWill the hon. Gentleman consider schemes which could reduce some of this harm in Glasgow, and save the expense? Surely there is some way of dealing with this trouble and of saving the expense?
§ Mr. GammansIt is a very serious state of affairs, and we shall be grateful for any help given to us by anyone to help to cure it.
§ Mrs. CullenWill the hon. Gentleman consider a scheme if I put it before him?
§ Mr. GammansOf course.
§ Mr. A. WoodburnWill the hon. Gentleman approach the Secretary of State for Scotland to see whether education authorities could do something to bring this matter to the notice of the children?
§ Mr. GammansThat, in fact, has been done, but the education authorities are rather reluctant to give too many lectures on this subject—they have been asked to do so by many authorities—because they do not believe that this mischief is primarily done by the children.
§ Mr. A. C. ManuelIs the hon. Gentleman aware that putting ordinary glass in these kiosks is quite unsuitable in some areas where these incidents repeatedly occur? Would he consider putting in cube glass—thick panes—that can stand up to wear and tear?
§ Mr. GammansThat is one of the matters now being considered—to what extent it is possible to strengthen these kiosks—but what one would like to see is a cessation of this wanton damage.