§ Mr. Ian Lloydasked the Postmaster-General what is the present ratio of public telephone callboxes to total population in the United Kingdom and in the Portsmouth postal area, respectively; what proportion of such callboxes is generally out of order at any one time in the United Kingdom and in the Portsmouth postal area; what is the average period of delay between the time when a callbox is first reported as being out of order and the completion of repairs in the United Kingdom and in the Portsmouth postal area; and what steps his Department proposes to take to increase the availability of callboxes in the United Kingdom and in the Portsmouth postal area.
§ Mr. Benn
U.K. Portsmouth Ratio of public telephones to total population 1:700 1:1,000 Average proportion of public telephones out of order at any one time 1.9% 1.4% Average time public telephones out of order (kiosk structure excluded) Same day except in areas where vandalism rife 2 hours The above figures are broadly estimated.
The need for additional public telephones is, and will be, kept under continual review from the viewpoint of both social need and a reasonable return. In addition, unremunerative kiosks are provided in consultation with the Rural District Councils' Association under a special allocation scheme.