HC Deb 14 May 1958 vol 588 cc390-1
23. Mr. H. Steward

asked the Postmaster-General when he expects to introduce a new design of telephone; and what charge he proposes to make for it.

Mr. K. Thompson

I am glad to say that with the co-operation of the manufacturers and the Council of Industrial Design, we have completed the design of a new telephone instrument. It will have an improved technical performance and will be made in a new and extended range of colours. First supplies are expected in the spring of next year.

The charge for a coloured telephone of the new design will be £5 or £3 if in replacement of a coloured instrument of the present design. The charge for the present coloured telephone will be reduced from £3 to £2 as from tomorrow.

Members may like to see models which are now on display in the Upper Waiting Hall.

Mr. Steward

Is my hon. Friend aware that the statement he has just made will give general satisfaction, and that the improved technique both in manufacture and also in operating performance, is a tribute both to the industry and to the engineers at Dollis Hill? May I ask my hon. Friend how soon he anticipates that existing stocks will be liquidated, and also when the new telephone will be in general manufacture? Is it proposed to discontinue—[An HON. MEMBER: "Ring him up."]—with the new telephone we could do it more efficiently—is it proposed to discontinue any of the additional charge as and when the new telephone becomes a source of general manufacture of the standard instrument? Also is my hon. Friend aware——

Mr. Speaker

Order. I think that is enough.

Mr. Thompson

I am grateful to my hon. Friend, as I am sure the House is, for his tribute to the technicians—both the manufacturers and our own engineers at Dollis Hill—for the work they have done on this new telephone. We have large stocks of the present one still to work off, but as soon as we can get the flow of new instruments coming forward, we will try to phase the two processes in together.

Mr. Hale

Is the Assistant Postmaster-General aware that a much more important job is to introduce a new design of Postmaster-General, and that we are proposing to introduce one of a different colour next year?

Mr. Thompson

That will be one of the few innovations for which the party opposite will be able to claim any credit.

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