§ 1. Mr. Palmerasked the Postmaster-General if he will review the principle governing the provision of public telephone kiosks by which such services must be financially remunerative unless the proposed site is within the boundary of a rural district council.
§ The Assistant Postmaster-General (Mr. Kenneth Thompson)I wish we could come nearer to the principle stated by the hon. Member. Last year there was a heavy loss on public telephone kiosks, in urban as well as in rural districts, amounting in total to £3 million.
§ Mr. PalmerIs the hon. Gentleman aware that the present practice is not very sensible, since many urban district councils have isolated rural areas within their boundaries? Should not cases be treated on their merits?
§ Mr. ThompsonWe do, in fact, try to treat cases on their merits, and take into account not only the commercial prospects of kiosks but also the public need for them.