HC Deb 10 February 1960 vol 617 cc45-6W
Mr. Mason

asked the Postmaster-General if he will list the number of telephone instruments returned to the Post Office from subscribers during each year

in each successive year since 1945; how many were in use; and what number was installed annually.

Mr. Bevins

The figures are as follows:

since 1945, and specify the reasons for any noticeable large returns.

Mr. Bevins

I regret that figures of the instruments returned are not available, but the number of lines given up is as follows:

12 months ended Number of lines given up
March, 1945 101,000
March, 1946 142,000
March, 1947 129,000
March, 1948 102,000
March, 1949 119,000
March, 1950 211,000
March, 1951 167,000
March, 1952 178,000
March, 1953 287,000
March, 1954 200,000
March, 1955 173,000
March, 1956 169,000
March, 1957 200,000
March, 1958 315,000
March, 1959 249,000
December, 1959 242,000

The figures include lines given up for various reasons, including removals. The figures naturally tend to increase as the size of the system grows, but marked variations are usually attributable to changes of tariffs.