§ 13. Mr. Eadieasked the Postmaster-General the estimated increase in manpower in his Department because of the altering of public automatic telephone mechanisms as a result of the introduction of decimal currency in 1971; and if he will list the areas involved in the change.
§ Mr. Joseph SlaterWe hope to make the change without any specific increase in manpower. Coin boxes and telephone exchanges in all parts of the country will be involved.
§ Mr. EadieI note with interest what my hon. Friend says about no increase being expected in manpower. Can he say precisely what the specific modifications involve?
§ Mr. SlaterThe modifications will be to about 75,000 public and 150,000 privately-rented coin boxes which will have to be adapted to take the new coins. Equipment in 6,000 automatic telephone exchanges will have to be altered.