HC Deb 16 February 1966 vol 724 cc242-3W
57. Mr. Cooper

asked the Postmaster-General what has been the extent of wilful damage to public telephones in the borough of Redbridge; and what has been the cost of repair.

Mr. Joseph Slater

There were about 650 cases of wilful damage to the 280 kiosks in the borough of Redbridge last year. It is estimated that the cost of repair to date, excluding overheads and loss of revenue amount to some £1,000.

Mr. Hugh Jenkins

asked the Postmaster-General having regard to the damage which has been done to call-boxes in Putney and Roehampton, if he will require the provision of all call-box facilities within the premises of all sub-post offices; and if he will examine the possibility of providing call-boxes within the premises of other public buildings which are open most of the time, and where the call-box facilities can be under supervision.

Mr. Joseph Slater

No. My right hon. Friend would not like to impose this as a requirement on Sub-Postmasters who are often short of space for their post office and private business. In any case they close by 6 p.m. As regards public call-boxes within premises generally I would refer my hon. Friend to the reply my right hon. Friend gave to the hon. Member for Hertford (Lord Balniel) on 31st January.