§ 25. Mr. Hobsonasked the Postmaster-General if he will arrange for coin boxes in telephone call boxes to be altered so as to take 3d. pieces as well as pennies when the rate is increased.
Dr. HillA completely new box mechanism is needed to take 3d. pieces. A new coin box capable of taking such coins and of timing local calls has been designed. There are 120,000 call boxes and it will be a considerable time before the new box is ready. In fact it is timed to come in with subscriber trunk dialling. Much as I would like to do what the hon. Gentleman asks it would be impracticable as well as expensive to modify the existing boxes to take 3d. pieces by January next.