§ Ms WalleyTo ask the President of the Board of Trade what is his policy on households' access to a telephone for access to emergency services; and if he will make a statement. [8448]
§ Mr. Ian TaylorAccess to emergency services for all those on the telephone is guaranteed by licence conditions. The number of households with a telephone has risen substantially from 78 per cent. in 1984 to 92.4 per cent. in 1995–96. Conditions in licences authorising the provision of payphones require the provision of free access from payphones to the emergency services.