In the 1980s, British Telecom employed 10, 000 people handling directory inquiries, most of them in London.

ECONOMIST: Call centres

Many people will use directory inquiries too seldom to find out which service is the best value for money.

ECONOMIST: Deregulated directory inquiries

But rather like today's directory inquiries, you have to pay to search the historic directories through the subscription and pay-per-view website.

BBC: NEWS | UK | Magazine | Dial H for history

International directory inquiries are handled in Grimsby, Mansfield and Irvine.

ECONOMIST: Call centres

The argument in the UK has gained momentum in recent weeks with revelations that companies including BT are planning to move services jobs in areas such as directory inquiries to India as a cost-saving measure.

BBC: Indian IT worker

The Crown also withdrew an allegation that Mrs Sheridan lied when she said she saw her husband phoning directory inquiries and asking for the number of Cupid's health club, and that her aunt arrived in Scotland from the US on 14 June 2002.

BBC: Gail Sheridan accused of using IRA interview technique