§ 43. Mr. Iremongerasked the Postmaster-General on what date he received from the Clerk of the Essex County Council a copy of a letter addressed to Members of Parliament representing constituencies in the County, dated 16th December, on the subject of emergency telephone calls; and whether he will now arrange for all emergency calls to be free of charge, irrespective of whether they are made from public or private telephones.
§ 44. Mr. Ridsdaleasked the Postmaster-General why emergency calls are not free of charge whether they are made from public or private telephones.
§ The Postmaster-General (Mr. Reginald Bevins)Though the present practice is of long standing, I have decided that it is right to change it. As from today, charges for 999 calls made from subscribers' premises, and for the corresponding calls to manual telephone exchanges, will be abolished.
§ Mr. IremongerIs my right hon. Friend aware of the general satisfaction, which I am sure is shared by my hon. Friend the Member for Harwich (Mr. Ridsdale), at this excellent change of policy?
§ Mr. BevinsYes, Sir.