HC Deb 02 March 1978 vol 945 c289W
Mr. Arthur Lewis

asked 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. Foot

Actual 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.

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