HC Deb 10 April 2001 vol 366 cc512-3W
Mr. Hood

To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what the outcome of the Telecommunications Council held in Brussels on 4 and 5 April was; what the Government's voting record at the Council was; and if he will make a statement. [157538]

Ms Hewitt

I represented the UK on the telecommunications aspects of the Transport and Telecommunications Council held in Luxembourg on 4–5 April.

The Council reached political agreement on common positions in respect of three proposals for Directives arising from the European Commission's 1999 communications review: on a common regulatory framework for electronic communications networks and services; on access to, and interconnection of, electronic communications networks and associated facilities; and on the authorisation of electronic communications networks and services. I strongly welcomed this agreement as a significant step toward fostering the competitive communications markets that are a vital element in the European Union's target to be the most successful knowledge economy in the world by 2010.

The Presidency gave a progress report on a fourth proposal for a Directive, on universal service and users' rights relating to electronic communications networks and services.

The Presidency indicated that it expects the Council to reach common positions on all four proposals at the next Transport and Telecommunications Council, to be held in Brussels on 27–28 June.

The Presidency also indicated that it expects the Council to reach common positions on proposals for a Regulation on the implementation of the Internet top level domain "EU" and on amending Directive 97/67/EC with regard to further opening to competition of Community postal services at the next Transport and Telecommunications Council.

The Council also held discussions on a Commission Communication on the introduction of third generation mobile communications in the EU; on the eEurope 2002 Action Plan, including network security and a Commission Communication on creating a safer information society by improving the security of information infrastructures and combating computer-related crime; and on international aspects of the organisation and management of the Internet.

The Commission provided information on implementation by member states of the Regulation on unbundled access to the local loop.