HC Deb 18 December 1963 vol 686 cc1239-40
23. Mr. Mason

asked the Postmaster-General what proportion, in money terms, of the provision of trunks and junctions, subscribers' circuits, and local lines over the next five years will be categorised as telephone apparatus, and therefore subject to the bulk supply agreements.

Mr. Bevins

Of the three classes of expenditure referred to in the hon. Member's Question only "subscribers' circuits" embody apparatus falling within the Telephone Apparatus Agreement. The best estimate I can make of expenditure on "subscribers' circuits" during the next five years is nearly £200 million, of which about a quarter will be on purchases under the Agreement.

Mr. Mason

Could the right hon. Gentleman tell the House exactly what contracts in terms of money will go to the eight firms which form the ring receiving 75 per cent. of the telephone apparatus agreements which are in operation for the next five years?

Mr. Bevins

Certainly. The total expenditure under the three heads mentioned in the Question will amount to about £540 million, and of this I expect that, as near as makes no matter, £50 million will be spent on purchases under the bulk supply agreement for telephone apparatus.