§ 31. Mr. Boardmanasked the Postmaster-General whether doctors and midwives are exempted from the system of sharing telephone lines.
§ Mr. BevinsSince 1948 doctors have been under an obligation to share their telephone lines to their private houses if they do not practise there. They are not required to share the telephone lines at their surgeries or in cases where the surgery and residence are on the same premises and served by the same line. Telephones to the homes of midwives are usually provided at the residence rate and are subject to the sharing requirement. I should, however, wish to make it clear that doctors and midwives are asked to share their telephone service only where there is no other means of providing service for a new applicant.
§ Mr. BoardmanWill the right hon. Gentleman look into this again, because the present position is at variance with that Answer? Will he bear in mind that this is not a matter of seeking a privilege for these professional people but is a necessary safeguard to the privacy of their patients?
§ Mr. BevinsI appreciate that point of view. This is a difficult matter, especially as it affects midwives rather than doctors. I should be perfectly willing to discuss it with the hon. Gentleman and to look at it again.
§ Mr. JegerIs there a standard list of people exempted from the necessity of having to share their telephone lines? If there is, would the right hon. Gentleman publish it in HANSARD so that we could deal with local inquiries and complaints on this subject?
§ Mr. BevinsI will certainly consider that suggestion.
§ Mr. LawsonOn a point of order. We have reached only Question No. 31. Would it not be in order subsequently to have the Prime Minister's Questions put back to at least Question No. 40 before we are interrupted?
§ Mr. SpeakerDo not let us argue those things now. We only lose time.