§ 57 and 58. Mr. Gowerasked the Postmaster-General (1) if he will revoke certain recent increases of dial-phone-box charges, whereby the former charge of 3d. has been increased by 100 per cent. to 6d., in view of the fact that this increase is much in excess of any increase which might be reconciled with current prices and incomes policies;
(2) if he is aware that the longer periods to be made available to subscribers for the fees increased from 3d. to 6d. in certain dial-phone-boxes will restrict the availability of such telephones 152W for other persons seeking to use them; and what action he will take to remedy this.
§ Mr. Edward ShortThis increase, which I must maintain, was part of the measures announced by my right hon. Friend on 20th July, 1966. The public call office service has been running at a loss of over £4 million a year for several years. The increase is offset by reductions in other charges for telephone and telegraph services. I have no reason to believe that the increase in time allowance will cause undue difficulty in the use of kiosks.