HC Deb 30 April 1973 vol 855 cc770-2
2. Mr. O'Halloran

asked the Minister of Posts and Telecommunications what is his estimate of the damage done by vandalism to telephone kiosks during 1972.

Sir J. Eden

The cost to the Post Office of damage due to vandalism was £473,000 in the year ended 31st March 1973.

Mr. O'Halloran

I am grateful for that reply. Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that in the Greater London area today it is almost impossible to find a telephone kiosk which is operative? Will the Minister say what research the Post Office is conducting into anti-vandalism equipment?

Sir J. Eden

I am sorry to hear the hon. Gentleman's reference to the position in London. I am certain that the Post Office will wish to take into account the need specially to watch it. But the fact remains that a great deal of work is being done on vandal-proof kiosks, and this has improved the position. At the moment I cannot go further than that.

Dr. Glyn

Does not my right hon. Friend agree that even if it is costing £400,000 a year it is worth speeding up research on this anti-vandalism approach to the kiosk because, whether it is in Lon don or anywhere else, my right hon. Friend knows that many kiosks simply cannot be used because of vandalism?

Sir J. Eden

It was the result of re search which led to the introduction of about 4,000 vandal-resistant kiosks which have been specially fitted with strengthened equipment, fluorescent lighting and large panes of toughened glass. Research is continuing. I emphasise that this is a difficulty which the Post Office itself is most anxious to overcome, and of course the help of local authorities, local education authorities and communities is greatly valued.

Mr. Frank Allaun

Will the Minister consider the placing of one kiosk in all blocks of council flats? Apart from discouraging vandalism it would provide a telephone for people who need one badly and in most cases cannot afford one of their own.

Sir J. Eden

That is a matter for direct negotiation between the local authorities and the Post Office, because, as the hon. Gentleman will recognise, the installation of telephone facilities in buildings has to be financed and paid for.

Mr. Fowler

What consultations have taken place with the police on the subject of ways in which these vandal attacks can be prevented? Surely that is the best way of preventing this crime.

Sir J. Eden

That is a matter primarily for the Post Office. I have no information to hand, but I will inquire for my hon. Friend.

Mr. Golding

Is the Minister going to leave undenied the assertion that nearly every telephone kiosk in London is un usable? Did the incidence of vandalism last year increase or decrease?

Sir J. Eden

It is difficult to deduce from the figures for one year, but the indication is that vandalism is on the decrease. Although the costs tell a different story, we should bear in mind that the costs of materials have gone up. Therefore, it is not easy to analyse the true situation from a straight look at the figures from one year to the next. The trend is certainly encouraging. I agree with the hon. Gentleman's observation on the first point. Obviously, if there were as widespread a disruption in London as has been indicated it would be a matter of grave concern.

Mr. Edwin Wainwright

Does the Minister agree that the action of these hooligans in destroying telephone kiosks is most despicable? Will he guarantee that research will continue into finding a vandal-proof kind of kiosk and not cut away this form of passing emergency messages by people who might wish to use it? Will he also consider the application that has been put in for three telephone kiosks in my constituency, where at present three areas are without facilities for making telephone calls?

Sir J. Eden

Many of the measures that have been suggested, not least by hon. Members, to combat vandalism, which I agree is a terrible crime, have already been tried by the Post Office, but I am afraid that most of them have been without any special degree of success. I am cautious about the statistics because the Post Office has recently introduced a new method for collecting statistics which is more efficient and thorough and therefore illustrates a more widespread degree of trouble in this area than had previously been shown However, the Post Office is extremely concerned about this matter and I assure the House that its research efforts are continuing.