§ 49. Mr. Hector Hughesasked the Postmaster-General why the 3d. slots in telephone kiosks in some places but not in others are made unusable by the insertion of metal wedges, thus depriving the public of 3d. telephone calls; whether similar 3d. slots elsewhere remain available for public use; and if he will now restore the 3d. slots for public use generally.
§ Mr. Edward ShortAll pay-on-answer coin boxes are being modified in this way to carry into effect the decision that from the New Year the minimum charge for any call from these coin boxes would be 6d. The fitting of wedges, which I do not propose to abandon, necessarily takes time, during which a decreasing number of 3d. slots remains usable.
§ Mr. HughesDoes my right hon. Friend not realise that this is a very unsatisfactory state of affairs, that it is a gross interference with the rights of British citizens of small means to communicate urgently with each other, and that he should resort to previous practice?
§ Mr. ShortThe call boxes were losing £4 million a year, and this is simply a matter of saving money.