TELEPHONE BOXES

That this House notes with concern plans by BT to close telephone boxes in Scotland; further notes with particular concern the impact that this might have in rural areas where populations are sparse and mobile telephone reception is patchy; calls on Ofcom to make sure that no residents or travellers could be put in danger through lack of emergency telephones; further calls for a national plan to be drawn up by the regulator and BT before any further telephone box closures are proposed, including consideration of options such as cashless or emergency-only boxes for those deemed essential; and urges Ofcom to consult all the affected communities to gain their support.