HC Deb 23 March 1955 vol 538 cc2047-8
30. Mr. Sorensen

asked the Assistant Postmaster-General, in view of the inconvenience caused by many telephone subscribers in Metropolitan Essex not being included in the London telephone directories, what is the estimate of the number of inquiries for telephone numbers to that area arising from this omission; and whether he will give further consideration either to the need of enclosing the whole of Metropolitan Essex within the London directories or of issuing to all subscribers in Metropolitan Essex a supplementary directory to cover the whole of Essex or the rest of Metropolitan Essex.

Sir. E. Boyle

If my noble Friend were to do as the hon. Gentleman suggests, the whole idea of reducing the weight, bulk and incidentally the cost of the present London directories would be lost. There has for the moment been an increase in directory inquiries, but there is no reason to think it will continue.

Mr. Sorensen

Does the hon. Gentleman appreciate that numbers of people in my district and contiguous districts are constantly telephoning just beyond the border of the London telephone area and that means a great deal of embarrass- ment? In those circumstances would it not be possible to supply all those in areas contiguous to the outer London area with this supplementary directory?

Sir. E. Boyle

I think we ought to give the new system a longer run before suggesting any change. That is the view of my hon. Friend.