§ Mr. KirkwoodTo ask the Secretary of State for Social Services, if he will investigate the cost-effectiveness of a national centrally funded scheme of meeting the charges necessary to upgrade domestic telephone sockets to enable elderly residents to have house alarm systems installed by local authorities where that provision would enable them to live in the community and not in institutions; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mr. NewtonWe have no plans to do so. The supply of emergency alarms is a matter for local authorities, which would no doubt approach British Telecom in suitable circumstances.