§ Mr. Sproatasked the Secretary of State for Social Services (1) how many telephones were installed under the provisions of the Health Services and Public Health Act and the Chronically Sick and Disabled Persons Act in 1972 in England and Wales by his Department; and what estimate he has made of those installed by local authorities;
(2) what estimate he has made of the number of television sets installed, and payment of licences made, respectively, under the provisions of Section 45 of the Health Services and Public Health Act 1968 and under the Chronically Sick and Disabled Persons Act 1970, in 1970, 1971 and 1972.
§ Mr. AlisonI have called for returns from local authorities relating to both telephones and television provided by them during 1972–73, but this information will not be available until the late summer. My Department has no power to provide telephones under either of these Acts.