§ Sir H. NIELDasked the Postmaster-General whether there is any and, if so, what difference in the cost of collection by the Post Office of money in private telephone coin-boxes and the collection of money in public call offices?
§ Mr. LEES-SMITHExcept in a few cases of long standing, it is not the practice of the Post Office to collect the money from private telephone coin-boxes. The ratio between the cost of collection and the amount collected is somewhat higher in the case of the private box than in public call offices, but I am unable to furnish definite figures.
§ Sir H. NIELDasked the Postmaster-General whether he has definitely withdrawn, and from what date, the facilities for the provision of private coin-boxes where subscribers are ready to hire them as part of their apparatus and pay the full charge for each call; whether he is prepared to reconsider his decision and permit a continuation of these facilities; and, if not, what are the reasons for withdrawing the service from those subscribers who have been accustomed to operate with the private coin-boxes?
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§ Mr. LEES-SMITHThese facilities are still available to telephone subscribers. Where the new type of multi coin-box has taken the place of the old type of box it has been necessary, owing to the considerable difficulties which would result from working different types of box on the same exchange, to withdraw coin-box facilities from the few subscribers who have refused to accept the new type.
§ Sir R. HAMILTONasked the Postmaster-General whether he will see that silence cabinets are installed in the new telephone call offices to be established in the Walls district of Shetland?
§ Mr. LEES-SMITHI am having inquiries made and will write to the hon. Member when they are completed.