§ 29. Mr. Raphael Tuckasked the Minister of Posts and Telecommunications whether he will introduce legislation to exempt the old and infirm from the £4 increase in telephone charges.
§ Mr. ChatawayWhile I sympathise with the hon. Member's objective, it would not be right to impose welfare responsibilities on a trading organisation like the Post Office.
§ Mr. TuckWhat is the Government's intention? Does the right hon. Gentleman realise that to these old-age pensioners the telephone sometimes represents their lifeline—their only means of communication with the outside world? He will one day be old himself, I am sure, and I hope that he will not then have the uncomfortable experience of having to give up his telephone because he is unable to pay for it.
§ Mr. ChatawayThere are, in certain instances, as I am sure the hon. Gentleman knows, arrangements for help with these difficulties from the Supplementary Benefits Commission.