Directory (Cornwall)

18.

Mr. Geoffrey Wilson
asked the Postmaster-General why the classified, trades and professions, telephone directory for Bristol. Exeter, Taunton and Plymouth areas was recently distributed to business telephone subscribers when in error it included very few telephone numbers in Cornwall other than those of co-operative societies.

Mr. Ness Edwards
This was due to a misunderstanding which I regret. The previous issue of the classified directory, made before the war, did not include Cornwall. It had been intended that the new issue should include Cornwall, but it was not appreciated until after distribution had begun that the particulars made available to the compilers of the directory were incomplete. Of some 1,000 entries relating to Cornwall. 42 were in respect of co-operative societies.

Mr. Wilson
Should not the Postmaster-General's Department have discovered this mistake had been made before their officials delivered the directories to subscribers?

Mr. Ness Edwards
This is done by contract outside the Post Office. I agree that  we have some responsibility for it, and anything which I can do to put the matter right I will do.

Mr. Coldrick
Is the Minister aware that a number of co-operative societies were omitted as well as private traders?