§ Mr. George Gardinerasked the Secretary of State for Transport whether he will take steps to fit inductive couplers in motorway emergency telephones to help motorists who wear hearing aids.
§ Mr. David HowellFollowing successful roadside tests of the equipment conducted by my Department with the help of the British Association of the Hard of Hearing, I have decided that inductive couplers should be installed in all 3,000 motorway emergency telephones in England. The installation will be carried out during regular maintenance checks. The work will start in the next few weeks and should be completed before the end of next year. I understand that my right hon. Friends the Secretaries of State for Scotland and Wales are planning similar measures.
I hope that this will prove to be of real benefit to the substantial number of drivers who wear hearing aids, and reduce any fears they may have about using motorways because of the difficulties of calling for help in the event of a breakdown.