§ Mr. MURROUGH WILSONasked the Postmaster-General (1) the cost per mile of erecting telephone circuits in rural areas, with details showing cost of poles, wire, insulators and labour;
(2) what number of men are employed in the erection of a rural telephone circuit as linesmen and for erecting the necessary poles?
§ Sir W. MITCHELL-THOMSONThe average cost of erecting in a rural area one mile of light pole route carrying one double wire subscriber's circuit is about £90. The cost of poles, stays and arms is £25; wire about £4; insulators and spindles about £1 10s.; freight and handling, £4; labour, £41; supervision and administration charges, etc., including accommodation about £14. As a rule, about five men are employed and the work occupies about 11 days, but this varies greatly according to local circumstances.