§ Mr. E. J. Williamsasked the Postmaster-General whether he will reconsider the question of providing telephone kiosks without first seeking financial assurances from local authorities, who, in most cases, could not bind the ratepayers to their decision?
§ Captain WaterhousePublic telephone call offices have been provided in mainland villages where there are post offices. These call offices are un-remunerative and my right hon. Friend regrets that he would not be justified in imposing a further serious loss on the Post Office by providing a public telephone in all villages and hamlets throughout the country without a contribution from the inhabitants. A considerable number of local authorities in rural areas have given the required undertaking to pay a rental of £4 a year for five years and I am not aware of any case in which this payment has been disallowed.