§ 4. Mr. Haymanasked the Postmaster-General his policy in regard to the provision of public telephone kiosks.
§ Miss PikeEach case is considered on its merits. Clearly I have to have regard to financial considerations, but I do my best to meet real public needs.
§ Mr. HaymanAre we to understand that the Postmaster-General is now insisting that every new public telephone kiosk must be a paying proposition? If that is so, is that not a complete contradiction of the policy which has been followed hitherto?
§ Miss PikeNo, Sir, but in rural areas kiosks are provided wherever a reasonable return can be expected and they are outside rural post offices. In addition, rural kiosks are provided under a rural allocation scheme and the programme is drawn up by the local people. I can assure the hon. Member that we try to provide telephone kiosks where there is a real need for them, but we have to have regard to financial considerations.