§ 37. Mr. Biggs-Davisonasked the Postmaster-General what reduction in the cost of the directory inquiry service has been achieved so far by the increased expenditure on promoting the sale of classified directories; how many of such directories have been sold up to the latest convenient date in 1967; how much has been received from such sales; and how many of such telephone directories have been issued free to subscribers in the same period.
§ Mr. Edward ShortIn 1967 nearly 3 million classified directories were issued free: about 78,000 were sold, yielding about £8,000 net. The directories are advertised to promote their use, not their sale. The effects on the directory enquiry service, which costs about £6½ million a year, cannot be isolated from other factors.