§ Mr. BlunkettTo ask the President of the Board of Trade what discussions he has had with representatives of the telecommunications industry to establish a subsidised phone rate for calls made to general practitioners' mobile phones when on call; and if he will make a statement on plans for such a rate.
§ Mr. McLoughlin[holding answer 15 April 1994]: The use of mobile phones by general practitioners when on call can provide a valuable benefit to patients, by improving response times and quality of service. The price of phone services is a matter for the individual telecommunications companies who provide them. I have received no requests to discuss with these companies the subsidisation of their services.