Mr. Edward M. Taylorasked the Postmaster-General how much investment in telephone kiosks represents; how much has been invested in telephone kiosks in each year since 1960; and what plans he has for future investment in kiosks.
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§ Mr. StonehouseFollowing is the information:
Total investment in telephone kiosks and the equipment they contain (but excluding the associated lines and exchange equipment) is about £10 million. Investment for the years 1961–69 was approximately as follows:
Year ending 31st March £ million 1961 … … … 0.2 1962 … … … 0.3 1963 … … … 0.7 1964 … … … 0.7 1965 … … … 0.6 1966 … … … 0.3 1967 … … … 0.2 1968 … … … 0.4 1969 … … … 0.4 Future investment is likely to continue at about the present rate but depends upon the needs of housing and other development; the use made of existing facilities and the profitability of the service.
Mr. Edward M. Taylorasked the Postmaster-General what proportion of telephone kiosks run at a loss; and what is their total annual operating loss and the loss from theft and vandalism.
§ Mr. StonehouseIn 1967–68 74 per cent.
The overall loss in that year was £1.5 million; loss attributable to theft was £48,000 and to vandalism, £360,000.
In 1968–69 the overall loss is expected to be £2.8 million.