Written question asked by Cheryl Gillan (Conservative) on Tuesday, 14 March 2000, in the House of Commons. It was due for an answer on Wednesday, 22 March 2000. It was answered by Patricia Hewitt (Labour) on Wednesday, 22 March 2000 on behalf of the Department of Trade and Industry.

Dept of Trade and Industry

Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry, what representations he has received about the effect of the second change to London telephone numbers on the charity MEDIC-ALERT; and if he will make a statement.

Answer: Mrs. Gillan: To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what representations he has received about the effect of the second change to London telephone numbers on the charity MedicAlert; and if he will make a statement. [115119] Ms Hewitt: Numbering is a matter for the Office of Telecommunications (Oftel). The first change to London telephone numbers in the past five years was in April 1995, PhOneday, on which all geographic codes were changed to begin 01. The second change to London numbers, due on 22 April, will mean that local numbers in London begin with a 7 or an 8, preceded by the new code 020. My right hon. Friend the Secretary of State has received 12 representations about the effect of the second change to London telephone numbers on the charity MedicAlert, and the Department as a whole has received about 60. Oftel has put in place parallel running for old and new numbers, and "changed number announcements", as well as ensuring that the current change has been publicised sufficiently to minimise the costs to charities such as MedicAlert.

Secondary information

Type: Written question
Reference: 346 c609-10W; 115119
Session: 1999-00
Subjects: Charities Administration Greater London Publicity Telephones Telephone numbering Medic Alert