§ Mr. Wallaceasked the Postmaster-General what is the estimated initial cost of the introduction of increased telephone charges and in particular the estimated cost of converting call boxes.
§ Mr. Edward ShortMany telephone charges will not be altered on 1st January next; some will be increased and some will be reduced. The overall initial cost of introducing the changes could only be arrived at by a considerable effort.
The cost of modifying STD coin boxes is expected to be about £100,000.
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§ Sir E. Bullusasked the Postmaster-General if he will give an assurance that there will be no increase in charges for the telephone service in the immediate future.
§ Mr. Edward ShortNo increase is in mind for the immediate future, apart from the changes announced by my right hon. Friend on 20th July. Some charges are being increased and others are being reduced on 1st January, 1967. Total telecommunications revenue is not expected to be affected significantly.