§ 11. Mr. Russellasked the Assistant Postmaster-General how many local telephone directories are being published by his Department in the North-West London area; and if he will give details of their cost of production and purpose, and the policy on which their publication is based.
§ Mr. GammansFour. The total cost of the current issues of these was about £5,000, but revenue amounting to nearly half of this sum was obtained from advertisements. Local directories are provided at the discretion of the Post Office Regional Director in areas where they are likely to be of special convenience to subscribers.
§ Mr. RussellIs it the policy of my hon. Friend's Department to publish local directories in competition with private enterprise? If so, is it his policy to get as many advertisements as possible? Is he aware that in Wembley there is one published with far more advertisements 1172 than corresponding local directories in the neighbouring area?
§ Mr. GammansThe Post Office provide local directories, where they are satisfied they will be of use to the public as a whole, after consultation with chambers of commerce, local authorities and other bodies who are able to offer an opinion.