§ 20. Mr. Dempseyasked the Postmaster-General if he will post the names and telephone numbers of local doctors in a conspicuous part of telephone kiosks for the convenience of the general public.
§ Mr. BevinsI have recently arranged for lists of National Health Service doctors to be available in telephone exchanges so that inquiries from both kiosks and private telephones can be dealt with. These lists are also held at the larger Post Offices. I believe that these arrangements, and the 999 service, provide the best way of meeting this public need.
§ Mr. DempseyDoes the right hon. Gentleman mean that these lists will be made available in existing kiosks? If so, they will be welcome in view of the occasional need to make calls in cases of accidents or sudden bouts of illness.
§ Mr. BevinsNo, Sir. The lists will not be available in telephone kiosks, but most Post Offices and all telephone exchanges will have them, and that should meet the need.
§ Mr. W. R. WilliamsIn order to meet the valid point which my hon. Friend has in mind, can the right hon. Gentleman arrange to have a notice in the kiosk to say that the names of doctors in the vicinity can be obtained on application to the telephone exchange?
§ Mr. BevinsAs the hon. Member knows, there is not much roam in kiosks for this sort of thing, but I will consider his suggestion.