§ 45. Lady Gammansasked the Postmaster-General if he will supply cheaper telephones to old-age pensioners living alone, to whom the use of a telephone is essential on medical grounds.
§ Mr. BevinsI have much sympathy with elderly people in such circumstances, but it has never been found practicable for the Post Office to apply differential telephone charges to particular groups. I am ready to look at this again but frankly I doubt whether I shall be able to find a way by which the Post Office can meet the hon. Member's proposal.
§ Lady GammansWhile thanking my right hon. Friend for that reply, may I ask whether he is not aware that many old people regard the telephone as their only means of calling the doctor when they are living alone? Will he look more sympathetically on this vital matter to old people?
§ Mr. BevinsI have indicated my sympathetic approach and my willingness to re-examine the matter.
§ Sir G. NicholsonIs not it possible to fit a bell?
§ Mr. Ness EdwardsDoes not the right hon. Gentleman appreciate that the best way of meeting the need is by reducing the telephone charges?