HC Deb 24 March 1950 vol 472 cc151-3W
Sir D. Robertson

asked the Postmaster-General the total number of employees engaged in the Aberdeen telephone area and under the control of the telephone manager; how many are located in the City of Aberdeen; and how many are stationed at other places within the area of nine counties plus Lewis, stating the number in each place.

Mr. Ness Edwards

The numbers are as follow:

1. Total number of employees engaged in Aberdeen telephone area and under the control of the telephone manager 1,087
2. Number located in the City of Aberdeen 713
3. Number stationed at other places within the area:
ABERDEENSHIRE:
Aboyne 4
Ballater 2
Ellon 1
Fraserburgh 3
Huntly 9
Inverurie 2
Peterhead 9
Turriff 6
BANFFSHIRE:
Banff 1
Buckie 2
Keith 4
CAITHNESS:
Thurso 2
Wick 31
INVERNESS-SHIRE:
Beauly 1
Inverness 139
Kingussie 2
KINCARDINESHIRE:
Banchory 2
Stonehaven 1
MORAYSHIRE:
Elgin 48
Forres 1
Grantown-on-Spey 2
NAIRNSHIRE:
Nairn 1
ROSS-SHIRE:
Dingwall 9
Fortrose 1
Gairloch 2
Invergordon 1
Kyle 8
Taira 2
Ullapool 1
SUTHERLAND-SHIRE:
Durness 1
Golspie 2
Lairg 1
ISLANDS:
Lewis—Stornoway 10
Orkney Kirkwall 29
Sandy 1
Shetland Lerwick 30
Fair Isle 1
Skye Broadford 1
Portree 1

Sir D. Robertson

asked the Postmaster-General the total amount of travelling expenses and allowances incurred by the constructional staff and their supervisors of Aberdeen telephone area for each year since 1945, giving for each year the number of men concerned.

Mr. Ness Edwards

Following is the information:

Year No. of construction workmen Workmen's traveling and subsistence allowances Engineering Supervisors traveling and subsistence allowances
£ £
1945–46 154 10,254 1,096
1946–47 245 9,400 1,256
1947–48 247 9,814 1,437
1948–49 284 13,381 1,866
1949–50 (Estimate) 304 27,700 2,108

The number of supervisors cannot be given as the supervising staff is not employed solely on construction work.

The figure for 1949–50 cannot be compared directly with those of previous years as there was a change in the basis of payments in April, 1949.

Sir D. Robertson

asked the Postmaster-General how many motor vehicles, including motor cycles, are employed in the service of the Aberdeen telephone area; and what has been the total mileage covered by them each year since 1945, their capital cost and average annual maintenance cost including garage, repairs, spares, depreciation. petrol and oil.

Mr. Ness Edwards

The total number of motor vehicles engaged on telecommunications work in the Aberdeen telephone area on 21st March, 1950, was 356. The total mileage run by motor vehicles engaged on this work in the area in the twelve months ending 31st October each year since 1945 has been, 1946, 1,746,600; 1947, 2,881,000; 1948, 2,992,000; 1949, 3,249,000. Their total capital cost (at current prices as new) was £142,000. Their average annual maintenance cost, including garage, repairs, spares, petrol and oil is estimated at £48,000. The cost of Post Office motor vehicles is not capitalised and is not therefore subject to depreciation.