HC Deb 24 November 1936 vol 318 cc229-30
65. Major OWEN

asked the Postmaster-General whether he is aware that it is the practice of his Department to refuse to allow district nurses to obtain telephone installations under the resident charge, thus being deprived of the 50 free local calls; and whether in view of the fact that district nurses are supported by voluntary contributions, he will arrange that, in future, telephone installations for the use of district nurses shall have the benefit of the residence charge?

Sir W. WOMERSLEY

The residence charge already applies in any case where nursing is not carried on at the nurse's house and where the telephone directory makes no reference to the subscriber's profession. I regret that I am unable to make any further concession. I could not discriminate between one class of telephone subscriber and another.

Major OWEN

In view of the fact that the Post Office service gets such a large income every year, could not something be done to enable district nurses in rural areas to have their telephones at the same rate as ordinary individuals? Why is it regarded as a business when all that is done is to bring succour and help to those in need?

Sir W. WOMERSLEY

I have a great deal of sympathy with my hon. and gallant Friend's point of view, but we have to consider other claims which are made by hospitals, doctors, chemists, rest homes, charity houses, farmers, life saving societies, fire brigades, and numerous other institutions, which claim they are not run on commercial lines, and I think he will agree that discrimination would be absolutely impossible.

Major OWEN

Is it not possible for the very able men in the Post Office to discriminate between what is a real charitable object and those other things which are not really charitable?

Sir W. WOMERSLEY

It is a matter of opinion, and hon. Members might claim that the societies I have mentioned are really charitable objects.