59. Miss CAZALETasked the Postmaster-General whether he will consider cutting alphabetical thumb indices down the sides of the Telephone Directory when the next editions are brought out?
§ The ASSISTANT POSTMASTER-GENERAL (Sir Ernest Bennett)The question of thumb-indexing the Telephone Directory has been frequently considered, but owing to the expense involved and the fact that publication would be seriously delayed, my right hon. Friend regrets that he is not able to adopt the arrangement.
Miss CAZALETIs the hon. Gentleman aware that in many foreign capitals they have these indices, and does he not think that the time saved, and perhaps the temper saved, would fully justify the expenditure?
§ Sir E. BENNETTI do not know what happens on the Continent, but I know that in regard to ourselves the hon. Member's suggestion would mean a cost to the Post Office and to the Exchequer of many thousands of pounds a year. The cost is estimated at £20,000. But the worst evil would arise in the delay. It would take 100 men working seven weeks to carry out the work.
§ Sir E. BENNETTI am afraid not.