§ 15. Mr. Kenneth Bakerasked the Postmaster-General whether he will now allow the public to purchase telephone apparatus directly from the manufacturers.
§ Mr. StonehouseI am discussing with the industry what equipment could be bought direct.
§ Mr. BakerThe House will welcome that, but I press the right hon. Gentleman to accelerate the discussions, since this is a sensible reform which will save the British taxpayer about £300 million over the next five years.
§ Mr. StonehouseI do not accept that figure, but the discussions are going ahead, and useful talks were held only last week.