§ Lord Balnielasked the Postmaster-General how many prosecutions have been initiated in the last three months concerning vandalism and theft from public telephone kiosks in Welwyn Garden City and Hatfield.
§ Mr. BennThere have been no prosecutions involving admitted offences in these two towns; but there have been a number of prosecutions of persons who have been apprehended for thefts from kiosks in neighbouring districts.
§ Lord Balnielasked the Postmaster-General what is his policy towards the provision of a public telephone service in shops and public buildings in those areas where the outdoor public telephone kiosk service is being repeatedly destroyed by vandalism.
Mr. BeanThere are already some 120,000 subscribers' coinboxes rented by shops, hotels, etc., and made available to their customers.
I am giving active consideration to the possibility of further developments. Meanwhile, a public service available at all hours is necessary and we are restoring service to kiosks which are damaged 177W so as to give at least an emergency service throughout the 24 hours.
§ Mr. Eldon Griffithsasked the Postmaster-General (1) what is the approximate average capital cost of installing a public telephone kiosk on a new housing estate; and what proportion of this most is attributable to the kiosk, the telephone and coinbox, the labour involved, and any other costs; (2) what is the approximate average running cost of servicing public telephone kiosks; (3) if he will publish a statement of the profits and/or losses incurred by the Post Office from the operation of its public telephone kiosks.
§ Mr. BennThe details asked for are:
Approximate Average Capital Costs Structure Telephone and Coinbox Electricity connection Line and labour etc. Total Average annual running cost, excluding depreciation and interest, or vandalism repair £ £ £ £ £ £ 95 65 20 230 410 70–75 The statement mentioned is published on pages 21 and 81 of the Post Office Report and Accounts, 1964–65.