§ 19. Mr. Ian Harveyasked the Assistant Postmaster-General what arrangements are being made for the future issue of London telephone directories to people living in the Harrow Urban District Council area.
§ Mr. GammansShortage of paper has made it necessary, for the time being, to stop the supply of new issues of the London telephone directory to existing residential subscribers. Business subscribers and new subscribers will get the new issues as usual. This measure will result in substantial savings in money and 210 paper, and my noble Friend feels confident of its ready acceptance by the public.
§ Mr. HarveyDoes not the Minister realise that, as a result of this, many users of telephones will be out of touch with one another and that it is a most unsatisfactory arrangement? Further, is he aware that this arrangement was made without any warning to the subscribers concerned, and will he look into the matter?
§ Mr. GammansOnly last year a survey was made among residential subscribers who were asked whether or not they wanted more frequent issues of the directory, and 91 per cent. said that they did not. But any private subscriber who particularly wants a copy of the directory can ask for it.
§ Mr. R. J. MellishWould it not have been better if the people of Harrow had voted Labour? They would have got a telephone directory then.