§ 17. Mr. Knox Cunninghamasked the Postmaster-General if he will consider installing automatic slot machines to provide change for use in public telephone boxes; and whether he will make a statement.
§ Mr. K. ThompsonNo, Sir. These machines would add further to the already high costs of the boxes and their equipment, and restrict the space available.
§ Mr. Knox CunninghamIf my hon. Friend does not feel that he could take action on the lines suggested at the present time, will he consider makim!, some arrangement with London Transport for the convenience of the public in the London area so that change could be provided at Underground booking offices for the telephone boxes?
§ Mr. ThompsonI will bear my hon. Friend's suggestion in mind, but I am not sure that it would be readily accepted by London Transport.
§ Mr. J. HyndHas the Minister ever considered the desirability of introducing the token system, which is applied in many Continental countries, which can be used irrespective of any changes in the charges for telephone calls and which avoids the difficulty of carrying masses of coppers in one's pocket?
§ Mr. ThompsonWe have to bear in mind that tokens of that kind are easily forged and we have to keep a close watch on the kind of coins that go through our boxes.