HC Deb 21 December 1955 vol 547 cc2005-6
32. Mr. Fort

asked the Postmaster-General the total cost of the untreated telegraph and telephone poles bought during the last three years; and the total cost of their storage treatment and classification.

Dr. Hill

The figures for the three years ended 31st December. 1954, are £1,101,000 and £383,000.

33. Mr. Fort

asked the Postmaster-General how many telegraph and telephone poles have been put up on an average each year for the last three years; their total cost, excluding the cost of erection; and the average cost for each pole.

Dr. Hill

For the three years ended 31st December, 1954, the figures are 124,000, £1,360,000 and £3 14s.

Mr. Fort

Can my right hon. Friend give any estimate by his Department of how much these very large sums of money could be reduced by using poles which were not carefully chosen to be as straight as are present telephone poles, but which are more in conformity with the customs of other countries?

Dr. Hill

I have been trying to obtain figures for crooked poles, but I must say to my hon. Friend that there are amenity considerations, the increased cost of transport and storage and the increased cost of creosoting. There are also safety considerations to be taken into account.