§ 11. Mr. Henry Clarkasked the Postmaster-General if he will arrange that pay-on-answer telephone coin boxes are made to take coins of higher denomination to facilitate the making of long-distance calls.
§ Mr. Edward ShortSuch a change must now await the modifications needed for a decimal system of currency which, as the hon. Gentleman knows, the Government plans to introduce in 1971.
§ Mr. ClarkWill the Postmaster-General give an assurance that when they are adapted to a decimal system of currency, the pay-on-answer coin boxes will be fully redesigned to take account of many defects, not the least being that they are simple to burgle?
§ Mr. ShortI have a great deal of sympathy with the hon. Gentleman on this point, but it would involve a great deal of expense to do the thing twice. The Government have taken this firm decision now, and we must wait until 1971 to see what the new coins are.