§ Major WARINGasked the Postmaster-General whether he is aware that the estimated cost of establishing a telephone at Abbey St. Bathans has been variously stated as £67, £57, £53 and 220; how were the figures arrived at in each case; and what are the details of the estimate now put forward?
§ Sir W. JOYNSON-HICKSThese estimates, made over a period of three years, varied partly because of changes in price levels and partly because of an error in estimating the length of new pole work required. A special concession was finally made in view of the fact that a length of derelict line in the neighbourhood could be taken down and re-erected to provide a circuit for the call office.
§ Mr. J. MURRAYasked the Postmaster-General whether he will consider the bringing into use on the telephone system of a substitute word for nine or for five, in order to obviate confusion from similarity of sounds?
§ Sir W. JOYNSON-HICKSI beg to refer the hon. Member to the answer—which still holds good—to a. similar question given to him on the 26th July last.
Mr. F. HALLasked the Postmaster-General whether he is aware that the only public telephone in Cholsey, Berkshire, is placed in the post office without a cabinet, and whether, in view of the inconvenience of a telephone without privacy, he will arrange for the erection of a cabinet?
§ Sir W. JOYNSON-HICKSI am making inquiry in the matter, and will let the hon. Member know the result.