§ Mr. Ashleyasked the Secretary of State for Social Services (1) if he will request local authorities to ensure that the rebate of £7 by the Post Office is paid to disabled subscribers;
(2) what discussions he has had with local authorities about the repayment of £7 by the Post Office to persons whose telephone rental is paid by the local authority under the provisions of the Chronically Sick and Disabled Persons Act 1970; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mr. Alfred MorrisI have written both to the Association of County Councils and to the Association of Municipal Authorities to suggest that they inform their constituent authorities of the following statement which I have received from the Post Office
The rebate is a general refundment in respect of the excess profit from telephone charges as a whole and does not have components proportional to rental and call charges. Bills in respect of telephone services provided under the Chronically Sick and Disabled Persons Act 1970 are sent to either the local authority or to the disabled person according to who has arranged to make the full payment to the Post Office. The rebate will appear on bills sent out during the quarter starting 1st October 1977. If the local authority and the disabled person wish to apportion the rebate, this is a matter for them to determine for themselves.I have every sympathy with my hon. Friend's point about disabled people receiving the full rebate, but this is not a matter on which I have power to adjudicate.