§ 53. Mr. McEnteeasked the Home Secretary how many telephone calls for 999 have been put through to the special office in New Scotland Yard; and what percentage of these calls were in accordance with the new police emergency call regulations?
§ Mr. LloydThe new arrangements made between the Commissioners of Police of the Metropolis and the City of London and the Post Office came into force at 8 a.m. on 29th November. During the two following periods of 24 hours 460 and 311 calls were received in the Information Room: of these, just under half were calls justifying the use of 999.
§ Mr. McEnteeIn view of the involved nature of the circular, does not the hon. Gentleman consider it to be responsible for the very high percentage of calls from outside?
§ Mr. LloydNo, Sir. I think that the circular was rather clear. It is natural that the public might make mistakes, like the lady who found a matchstick and a beetle in her bread and rang up Scotland Yard to know what she should do about it. The situation is now improving, and I would repeat that this 999 number is to be used only in connection with urgent matters connected with crime.