§ Mr. Masonasked the Postmaster-General if he will list the number of telephone instruments returned to the Post Office from subscribers during each year
46Win each successive year since 1945; how many were in use; and what number was installed annually.
§ Mr. BevinsThe figures are as follows:
since 1945, and specify the reasons for any noticeable large returns.
§ Mr. BevinsI 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.