§ 48. Mr. Freethasked the Postmaster-General why post offices in the country no longer have available copies of all the telephone directories for England and Wales so that these may be consulted upon request by members of the public.
§ Mr. AlportThere has been no change in our policy, which is to provide at post offices copies of those telephone directories for which there is a public 643 need. We could not justify the expense of providing copies of all the directories, especially as telephone numbers can be obtained from directory inquiries without charge.
§ Mr. FreethWhile congratulating my hon. Friend upon this attitude of economy, may I ask him to see that within the Home Counties, at least, copies of the London telephone directories are available in all main post offices?
§ Mr. AlportCopies of the London directories are provided at all Head Post Offices and at all principal post offices in other towns in the Home Counties. I shall be happy to make any inquiry about providing them in any individual office in the Home Counties at which they may not at present be available if my hon. Friend draws my attention to it, or, indeed, if any other hon. Member interested in the subject would care to do the same.