HC Deb 10 November 1978 vol 957 c378W
Dr. McDonald

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services what estimate has been made of the costs of providing all pensioners with a rent-free telephone.

Mr. Alfred Morris

The initial cost of providing a telephone for those households not possessing one at present where the chief income is that of a pensioner would be more than £100 million, based on 1971 census figures. The recurrent annual rental would be more than £125 million.