§ 2. Mr. Christopher Priceasked the Postmaster-General which categories of telephone subscribers are exempt from being compulsorily transferred from a single to a shared line; and if he will include ministers of religion in this list.
§ Mr. StonehouseI am circulating a full list in the OFFICIAL REPORT; Ministers of religion are included.
§ Mr. PriceIs my right hon. Friend aware that it will be a very good idea to publicise this list among public and local Post Office officials alike? Is he further aware that in my constituency a minister of religion was asked to share a line? Does he think that persuading people who have single lines to share them is, in the long term, a sensible policy for the Post Office to adopt?
§ Mr. StonehouseI am satisfied that, given the shortage of exchange lines, it is wise to have shared lines so that as many potential subscribers as possible can be linked up, but there is no question of a minister of religion being told that he must share the service.
§ Mr. DobsonWill my right hon. Friend consider in his review the very important category of councillors? I understand that these people are eligible for shared service lines, but as they deal with confidential and private information they should not be included in that list.
§ Mr. StonehouseThis aspect has been considered in the past, but it was felt that to extend the exclusion as far as that would be unwise. I will, of course, consider this suggestion again.
§ Following is list:
§ All residential subscribers connected before 1st January, 1948;
§ All business customers,
§ Members of both Houses of Parliament,
§ Judges of the High Court and above,
§ Senior officers of the Diplomatic and Consular Services, and Ministers of Religion.