§ 1. Sir D. Robertsonasked the Postmaster-General why, in view of the large profits being made annually from Government telecommunications, he continues to refuse applications for post boxes in small Highland communities, and for public telephone kiosks, on the ground that they do not pay; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mr. MawbyThe loss on public telephone call offices is about £3 million a year, and I think we must have regard to the cost of providing these kiosks and the revenue they produce. We recognise the needs of small scattered communities, and 470 rural kiosks have been provided in the Scottish Crofter counties during the last fourteen years. The provision of posting boxes does not depend wholly on whether they pay, but the use made of them has to be taken into account. 160 new posting boxes have been provided in these counties during the last fourteen years.