§ 1. Mr. Costainasked the Postmaster-General if he is aware that some firms are reluctant to move from the Metropolis because of their concern that they will lose business owing to clients' reluctance because of charges to telephone them; and if he will consider establishing a London telephone exchange with private extension lines to decentralised offices.
§ The Postmaster-General (Mr. John Stonehouse)Subscribers may have ser vice substantially as proposed by renting lines connected to distant exchanges. Callers may also, without charge to themselves, call "Freefone".
§ Mr. CostainI thank the right hon. Gentleman for that reply. Will he give more publicity to the fact because I am sure he would agree that it would help offices to move out of London, which is one of the good policies of this Government?
§ Mr. StonehouseI think it a very good arrangement. I shall arrange for more publicity to be given to the "Freefone" facility.