§ Mr. Stratton Millsasked the Postmaster-General if he will give details of the reductions to be obtained by the phasing back of the telecommunications programme, amounting to £4 million, announced by the Government on 21st December. 1967.
§ Mr. Edward Short:We shall not obtain equipment for exchanges to the value of £3 million as quickly as we had planned. This will lead to a reduction in the need for other equipment to the value of £1 million.
§ Mr. Hugh D. Brownasked the Postmaster-General (1) what is the estimated annual total expenditure on the telecommunications services for the period 1967–68 to 1970–71;
183W(2)what he estimates will be the number of telephone stations and exchange connections, respectively, in service at the end of March in each year from 1967–68 to 1970–71;
(3)what investment he estimates will be made in the seven broad categories of telecommunications plant, as listed in Statement B 7 of the Post Office Report and Accounts 1966–67, in each year from 1967–68 to 1970–71;
(4)what he estimates will be the number of orders on the waiting list at the end of March in each year from 1967–68 to 1970–71; and how these numbers are likely to be divided between those awaiting equipment, or line plant, or both;
(5)what are the forecasts of net demand and new supply of telephone exchange connections for each year from 1967–68 to 1970–71;
(6)what he estimates will be the sum of money represented by a return of 8½ per cent. on net assets in the telecommunications services in each year from 1967–68 to 1970–71;
(7)what he estimates the net assets of the telecommunications services will be at the mean of each year from 1967–68 to 1970–71.
§ Mr. Edward Short:A review of the capital investment requirements, system growth and financial prospects for the period to 1970?–71 is at present in progress and until it has been completed I am unable to give the information requested.