§ Baroness Trumpington asked Her Majesty's Government:
§ Whether they have considered harmonisation of emergency telephone numbers throughout the European Union.
§ The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State, Department of Trade and Industry (Lord Sainsbury of Turville)My Lords, there are no plans to harmonise emergency telephone numbers. However, the single European emergency call number, 112, which has existed in parallel with national emergency numbers since 1992 is very useful for British holidaymakers, who need to remember only one emergency number wherever they travel in the European Union.
§ Baroness TrumpingtonMy Lords, I thank the Minister for that interesting Answer. Is he aware that I am prepared to bet that he is the only noble Lord in this Chamber who knows that 112 number? In the light of that, will the Government promote a leaflet giving that number, plus any other European emergency numbers, and the American emergency number, to all British travellers? Does the 112 number apply to a Walloon making an emergency telephone call in this country?
§ Lord Sainsbury of TurvilleMy Lords, in the majority of member states, including the UK, awareness of the number 122—
§ Lord Sainsbury of TurvilleMy Lords, 112! That number has been publicised by operators, regulators or other organisations. In the UK, British Telecom publicises the 112 number in its telephone directories. However, as neither I, before this debate, nor my wife, nor Lady Trumpington, nor anyone else I have talked to, knows of the existence of that number, I expect that we have a problem with communication. I shall talk to the Director-General of the Office of Telecommunications to consider, with the telecom industry, what more may be done.
Viscount AddisonMy Lords, would it not be sensible for travel companies to issue the number on documentation that is given to those travelling abroad? 196 Emergency numbers could be shown on confirmation sheets so that travellers have the necessary numbers that follow their progress.
§ Lord Sainsbury of TurvilleMy Lords, that seems to be a remarkably sensible suggestion. I shall make certain that, as far as we are able, we shall encourage that to happen.