§ 43. Mr. Dobsonasked the Postmaster-General what steps his Department is taking to assist people living in rural 1004 areas to make contact with their local social services.
Mr. ShortI am introducing an experimental scheme on 7th November, in conjunction with the National Citizens' Advice Bureaux Council, under which people who want help from their local bureau will be able to make an initial approach by using reply-paid forms, obtainable on request from rural post offices and rural postmen. The experiment will be carried out in the rural areas around Bedford, Ulverston and The Wrekin.
I have also decided to establish a fellowship, at a university yet to be selected, to carry out research into the communication needs of housebound people living alone and people in similar circumstances, especially the elderly, who may need urgent help in emergencies.
§ Mr. DobsonIn thanking my right hon. Friend for his reply and for that very welcome news, may I ask whether he has at the same time considered anything of a similar nature in the telephone service?
Mr. ShortYes. We are, of course, at present carrying out an experiment in Manchester among a number of old people living alone. We are evaluating the results of this experiment, in which the instrument is plugged in to the electricity main. This is proving of great assistance to old people living alone and I hope that if it is successful, we may be able to use it in other areas.