FUTURE OF THE PAYPHONE NETWORK

Early day motion 557, tabled 5 April 2001 by Karen Buck (Labour). Signed by 50 members.

That this House notes the dramatic fall in revenues of payphones due to growth in mobile phone use; notes the potential for payphones to provide universal e-mail and Internet access; notes that at least 45 per cent. of calls to ChildLine are from payphones, as are 15 per cent. of emergency calls; also notes that 2.8 million people are still without access to fixed-line telephony in the home; believes that payphones are fundamental building blocks of communities, contributing to social inclusion and personal safety; believes that exterior advertising in appropriate locations can play a valid role in supporting and developing the network; welcomes the initiative by BT Payphones imposing a code of practice for payphone advertising which takes account of personal safety issues, CCTV cameras, rural areas, residential areas, listed buildings, Royal Parks and Conservation Areas; notes that BT Payphones is the first outdoor advertiser to volunteer such a Code of Practice; further notes that current regulations give local planning authorities the same power of control over payphone advertising as apply to bus shelter and shop window adverts; and therefore calls upon Her Majesty's Government to ensure that the estimated ú20 million impact of further regulation on the payphone network is taken into account in achieving a balanced approach to this issue.

Signatures by party: Labour 35, Liberal Democrat 8, Labour/Co-operative 4, Conservative 1, Scottish National Party 1, UUP 1.