13. Mr. Gresham Cookeasked the Postmaster-General when he will be in a position to encourage companies, at least in the larger cities, to put their subscriber trunk dialling code on their notepaper for the convenience of their callers, as is done in countries abroad.
§ Mr. BennQuite soon. When all-figure numbering is introduced early next year, I hope that subscribers in the six largest cities will show their STD numbers on their notepaper. This will be of great convenience to their customers and will help the Post Office.
Mr. Gresham CookeWill the right hon. Gentleman take special steps to encourage companies to do this? Is he aware that in America every company shows its area code and its number on its notepaper so that there is no need to refer to the directory when one wants to telephone?
§ Mr. BennThat is so. The hon. Gentleman has asked a very helpful supplementary question. One of the difficulties of the telephone service is that people are reluctant to use the directories, with the result that directory inquiries become overloaded.