BRITISH TELECOM CONSULTATION OVER TELEPHONE BOX CLOSURES

That this House notes that British Telecom has launched a consultation regarding the possible closure of up to 4,500 telephone boxes across the country; recognises, with the take-up of mobile telephones particularly, that many of these are becoming increasingly uneconomic and that BT has to strike a balance between subsidy and provision of a national service; notes, however, many are in rural areas, where they provide a reassuring presence in the event of an emergency; further notes that many are classic red boxes, based on Giles Gilbert Scott's iconic 1924 design, and are viewed as an important part of our country's heritage; further notes that English Heritage has received over 200 listing applications for such boxes since the consultation began; welcomes, therefore, BT's commitment to review separately the removal of any boxes to which local councils object; urges local parishes and councils to participate fully in the consultation process; and hopes that talks between BT, English Heritage, the Campaign for the Protection of Rural England, VisitBritain and other interested bodies will provide a solution for the physical retention, at least, of classic red telephone boxes, where this is desired by local communities as part of the country's heritage.