HC Deb 19 February 1973 vol 851 cc3-4
2. Mr. Horam

asked the Minister of Posts and Telecommunications if he will give a general direction to the Post Office to undertake a special programme of installing public telephone kiosks in areas where the number of domestic telephones is low.

Sir J. Eden

No, Sir. This is a matter for the Post Office, which already takes such factors into consideration when providing public telephone facilities.

Mr. Horam

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that the Post Office acts with commendable speed when a specific instance is pointed out—as it did in the Teams and Askew areas of Gateshead when I asked the Post Office for extra kiosks—but that the Post Office needs general prodding in this matter? In view of the clear social need for extra kiosks, particularly among elderly people who very often cannot quickly get a doctor or the ambulance service to call when there is no telephone kiosk nearby, or no neigh- bour with a telephone, will the Minister make a general provision in regard to that aspect of the matter?

Sir J. Eden

I do not think that that is necessary, because the Post Office has very much in mind the points to which the hon. Gentleman has referred. The Post Office takes into account the extent of penetration of private telephones. In respect of the hon. Gentleman's constituency, the Post Office keeps the matter under review, particularly in the light of redevelopment as it is proceeding.

Mr. Haselhurst

If there is any eroding to be done by my right hon. Friend, would not he agree that it would be more sensible that if extra telephone kiosks, which may not be commercially viable, are to be provided, they should be reserved for areas near the homes of old people who would not qualify under the terms of the Chronically Sick and Disabled Persons Act?

Sir J. Eden

Generally these points are fully taken into account by the Post Office when considering the sites of new kiosks. As my hon. Friend will realise, the number of new kiosks and public call offices has been increasing each year. There is now a total of about 76,000 in the United Kingdom. However, the Post Office has to have regard to the cost of establishing kiosks of this kind and the amount of business they are likely to generate.