To ask the Secretary of State for Children, Schools and Families how many telephone lines with the prefix (a) 0870, (b) 0845 and (c) 0800 his Department (i) operates and (ii) sponsors; how many calls were received to each number in the last 12 months; and whether alternative numbers charged at the BT local rate are available in each case. (305204)

The DCSF currently operates four telephone lines with the prefix (a) 0870, two telephone lines with the prefix (b) 0845 and one telephone line with the prefix (c) 0800. The DCSF currently sponsors no telephone lines with the prefix (a) 0870, four telephone lines with the prefix (b) 0845 and no telephone lines with the prefix (c) 0800. Alternative (geographic ‘BT local rate’) numbers are available in each case.

The DCSF cannot provide the number of calls received by each number in the last 12 months. The information is not readily available centrally in the Department. To provide the information would involve an extensive information collection exercise which would exceed the recommended disproportionate cost threshold.