§ 56. Mr. Roseasked the Postmaster-General what progress has been made with the experiment in providing a low cost communication system to help the elderly, disabled and housebound.
§ Mr. BennSo far two elderly housebound people in Manchester have been successfully connected with near neighbours, and we have equipment for a further thirty-eight for the experiment. The North Western Electricity Board, Manchester Corporation Welfare Services Department, and the Post Office Engineering Union are co-operating in the experiment.
§ Mr. RoseWill my right hon. Friend consider extending the experiment? Is he aware that the provision of low-cost communications for elderly people in Manchester is rather more important than the provision of luxury telephones for people in Hampstead?
§ Mr. BennLuxury telephones have an export potential which one should not exclude from consideration. The Post Office Engineering Union played a leading part in suggesting that we should tackle the experiment, and if it succeeds we shall extend it. I believe that there may well be a real need that we can meet both efficiently and economically.