§ 40. Major LLEWELLINasked the Postmaster-General whether he has received a petition from a number of in- 2100 dustrial establishments in West Drayton and Yiewsley asking that names of telephone subscribers in that area be included in the London Telephone Directory; and whether, in view of the fact that names of subscribers in places further from the centre of London than West Drayton are already so included, he will take steps to have subscribers in that area included in future editions of the London Telephone Directory?
§ Mr. LEES-SMITHThe petition has been received and a reply sent. It is imperative that entries in the London-Telephone Directory—which is already unduly large—ishould be strictly confined to subscribers who are in the London area; and I regret that it is impracticable to make exceptions.
§ Major LLEWELLINDoes the Parliamentary Secretary not realise that firms-whose names are in the London Telephone Directory have a considerable advantage over similar firms whose names are not in the Directory, and will he consider the advisability, in order to-reduce the bulk of the Telephone Directory, of issuing a toll directory to include all toll numbers?
§ Mr. LEES-SMITHI should be glad to consider that suggestion, but I have not yet any ideas of my own upon it. With regard to the suggestion that firms nearer London have an advantage because their names are in the London Telephone Directory, I may explain that the London area is not taken by making a circle around a certain place, but is plotted out according to certain technical and administrative considerations.
§ Mr. A. M. SAMUELDoes the hon. Member realise that the great number of entries in the Telephone Directory causes great inconvenience owing to the smallness of the type?
§ Sir COOPER RAWSONWill the hon. Gentleman consider the advancing years of telephone subscribers, and issue a microscope with every Telephone Directory?