Question to the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs:

To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, what timetable is in place for the phase-out of her Department's telephone lines with the prefix (a) 0845, (b) 0844 and (c) 0843.

Core Defra operates a dual numbering system for all 0845 prefix telephone lines with the prefix 03 used as the primary number. 0845 prefix numbers have been retained to allow callers a choice based on their call package arrangements. There is no timetable to phase out the 0845 prefixed numbers but a review of the dual numbering policy will conclude in November.