DEEMED CONTRACTS IN CERTAIN CASES

HC Deb 01 April 1981 vol 2 c473

Mr. Michael Marshall

I beg to move amendment No. 49, in page 21 leave out lines 43 and 44.

Mr. Deputy Speaker

With this we may take Government amendment No. 50.

Mr. Marshall

Subsection (2) deems the making of certain entries, termed "special entries", in telecommunications directories to be done under contract. BT will therefore have contractual liability for any errors and omissions. Our policy is to impose that liability where a charge is made for an entry but not where an entry is made without a special charge. "Special entry" was accordingly defined in the Bill to exclude the single entry provided free for each subscriber. But subscribers living in certain areas such as the outskirts of London receive free entries in more than one directory. The amendments amend the definition of "special entry" to reflect our policy more accurately by excluding quasi-contractual liability from arising in respect of all entries in directories other than those for which a special charge is made.

Amendment agreed to.

Amendment made: No. 50, in page 22, line 1, leave out from second 'entry' to end of line 2 and insert 'for which a special charge is made;'.—[Mr. Michael Marshall.]