§ 41. Mr. Leadbitterasked the Postmaster-General what are the costs of damage done to telephone kiosks in the United Kingdom for the years following 1962 to the latest date when figures are available to him.
§ Mr. Joseph SlaterFollowing is the table:
Calendar Year 1963 1964 1965 1966 £ £ £ £ Total cost of repairing damage, excluding loss of revenue 135,000 225,000 450,000 370,000
§ Mr. Berryasked the Postmaster-General whether he is aware that the written instructions in many call boxes are now out of date as a result of the ending of 3d. calls from these boxes; and what steps he is taking to replace these with up to date notices.
§ Mr. Joseph SlaterAll STD call offices should have new or amended instructions.
If the hon. Gentleman will let me know of any with out-of-date instructions I will have them brought up-to-date.
§ Mr. Leadbitterasked the Postmaster-General how many telephone kiosks have been damaged in the constituency of The Hartlepools for the years following 1962; and what is the proportion to the total number.
§ Mr. Joseph SlaterI am sorry that information is not readily available in the form desired.
There are 69 telephone kiosks in the Hartlepools constituency. In the years 1963–66 there were about 1,000 instances of damage per year. In the first six months of 1967 there were 450. Counter measures are being taken, and I am glad 124W to say that several thieves have been convicted. Damaged kiosks are being repaired as quickly as possible.
§ Mr. Leadbitterasked the Postmaster-General what have been the costs of repairing damage to the telephone kiosks in the constituency of The Hartlepools for the years following 1962.
§ Mr. Joseph SlaterIn the first six months of this year £1,350. I am sorry that information for earlier years is not readily available.