§ 48. Mr. Gowerasked the Assistant Postmaster-General how many new telephone kiosks have been provided in each of the Welsh counties since 1946; and what number are to be erected in each county this year.
§ Mr. GammansAs the answer contains a number of figures, I will, with permission, circulate it in the OFFICIAL REPORT.
§ Mr. GowerWould my hon. Friend not agree that those figures reveal a steady decline in the provision of kiosks in Wales since 1949? Will he do something to improve the position?
§ Mr. GammansNo, I do not agree. I think the figures reveal that Wales is in a far more advantageous position than either England or Scotland.
§ Following are the figures:
| County | New kiosks provided in the period from 1st January, 1947 to 31st December, 1952 | Number of kiosks expected to be erected during year ending 31st December, 1953 |
| Anglesey | 28 | 6 |
| Caernarvon | 80 | 12 |
| Denbigh | 90 | 20 |
| Flint | 43 | 6 |
| Merioneth | 54 | 12 |
| Montgomery | 62 | 10 |
| Brecknock | 33 | 13 |
| Cardigan | 99 | 13 |
| Carmarthen | 141 | 16 |
| Glamorgan | 214 | 46 |
| Pembroke | 80 | 10 |
| Radnor | 33 | 7 |
| The figures shown include both urban and rural kiosks. |
§ 49. Mr. Gowerasked the Assistant Postmaster-General what steps he will take to increase the provision of telephone kiosks in the rural areas of Wales and Monmouthshire.
§ Mr. GammansDuring the last three years we have provided an average of 148 rural kiosks a year in Wales and Monmouthsire. In spite of our limited resources and the heavy cost of installing kiosks in the more remote areas, we hope to provide a further 106 in 1953–54.
§ Mr. GowerIs the Minister aware that that the Rural Councils Association in Wales are greatly concerned at the inadequacy of the provision of these kiosks? Will my hon. Friend look further into this position?
§ Mr. GammansWe should certainly like to install more kiosks, but, as I have already assured my hon. Friend, so far as the average is concerned Wales is far above it.