HC Deb 01 August 1947 vol 441 cc102-3W
Mr. Gammans

asked the Postmaster-General the cost of installation, per instrument, in the telephone service for the year 1937 and for the latest date for which figures are obtainable.

Mr. Wilfred Paling

The cost of installation covers (1) the provision of the subscriber's pair of wires from the Exchange to his premises; (2) his instrument, bell and internal wiring; and (3) the exchange termination of his line. The average capital cost of installation on this basis was estimated in 1939 (the nearest available year to that asked for) to be approximately £40 per exchange line instrument. Investigations into current costs are in hand but the results are not yet available.

Mr. Gammans

asked the Postmaster-General the number of telephones installed in the year 1932 and yearly since then up to the latest date for which figures are obtainable, together in each case with the percentage increase for each year.

Mr. Wilfred Paling

The figures for which the hon. Member asks are as follow:

NUMBER OF TELEPHONES INSTALLED IN THE UNITED KINGDOM.
Year ended 31st March. Gross No. of telephones installed. Percentage increase (or decrease) over previous year
1932 256,373 0.3 decrease
1933 264,091 3.0 increase
1934 279,526 5.8 increase
1935 347,215 24.2 increase
1936 365,114 5.2 increase
1937 437,956 20.0 increase
1938 436,624 0.3 decrease
1939 418,322 4.2 decrease
1940 451,421 7.9 increase
1941 446,388 1.1 decrease
1942 496,318 1.1 increase
1943 466,263 6.1 decrease
1944 440,656 5.5 decrease
1945 414,104 6.0 decrease
1946 503,864 21.7 increase
1947 832,101 65.1 increase
Increase 1947 over 1932 = 224.6 per cent.