§ Mr. Arthur Lewisasked the Postmaster General whether he will state the total moneys expended, including labour and advertising costs, in initiating and cancelling the new system of telephone directories.
§ Mr. StonehouseA new system of telephone directories has not been initiated and cancelled.
Consultants were commissioned to study the problems in London arising from the foreseeable growth of the telephone service and the need to give our customers the best possible number information. The conclusions were considered within the Post Office and the Post Office Users' Council and several other bodies were consulted about a possible new pattern of directories.
404WI have now recast these proposals following further consultations and considerations.
The task has been done in the normal course of Post Office work and the total cost could not be separated, except by considerable effort which I do not consider to be justified. It is estimated to be less than £20,000 and it was not abortive.
No advertising costs were incurred.