§ 1. Mr. Dykesasked the Secretary of State for Industry whether he is yet able to announce the results of his review of the possible introduction of private sector competition for the telephone equipment market.
§ The Minister of State, Department of Industry (Mr. Adam Butler)Not yet. We have almost completed our extensive 2 consultations with interested parties, and my right hon. Friend expects to make an announcement about our detailed proposals shortly.
§ Mr. DykesI thank my hon. Friend for that answer, but does he agree that the fact that the Post Office supplies the lines and the basic installations that does not mean that private equipment should not be used at the business end of the telecommunications market? Will my hon. Friend confirm that the Government are keen that that should possibly include conventional hand sets as well as all the other ancillary equipment?
§ Mr. ButlerIt is our intention to open up the supply of equipment as widely as possible, and we have to consider the question of hand sets along with everything else.