§ Mr. Arthur Lewisasked the Lord President of the Council, in view of the fact that in May 1960 the Palace of Westminster's internal telephone directory contained 357 telephone numbers, 1,153 in 1970 and 3,713 in 1977, what were the costs of this service to public funds at these times.
§ Mr. FootActual costs of telecommunications etc. provision within the Palace of Westminster for the years 1959–60, 1969–70 and 1976–77 were as follows:
1959–60 1969–70 1976–77 £ £ £ House of Lords 8,536 16,995 72,558 House of Commons 26,776 94,799 605,977 Lord Chancellor's Department —* —* 12,074 Department of the Environment —* —* 22,500 * Not available. Before October 1969 Members were permitted to make free telephone calls on parliamentary business from the House of Commons only within the London area—that is, local calls. On and after 1st October 1969 this facility was extended to cover the whole United Kingdom.