HC Deb 29 November 1982 vol 33 cc109-13

Queen's Recommendation having been signified—

Motion made—[Mr. Patrick Jenkin)—and Question put, That, for the purposes of any Act of the present Session to provide for the appointment of a Director General of Telecommunications and to confer functions on the Director General so appointed, to abolish the exclusive privilege with respect to telecommunications conferred on British Telecommunications by section 12 of the British Telecommunications Act 1981 and to make new provision with respect to the provision of telecommunication services (hereinafter referred to as "the Act"), it is expedient to authorise—

  1. (1) the extinguishment by order of all or any liabilities of the successor company to the Secretary of State in respect of the principal of transferred loans;
  2. (2) the payment out of money provided by Parliament of—
    1. (a) the remuneration of, and any travelling or other allowances payable under the Act to, the Director General of Telecommunications and any staff of the Director, any sums payable under the Act to or in respect of the Director and any expenses duly incurred by the Director or by any of his staff in consequence of the provisions of the Act;
    2. (b) any sums required by the Secretary of State for making grants or other payments under the Act or for discharging any liability imposed on him by the Act;
    3. (c) any expenses incurred by the Secretary of State in acquiring securities of the successor company or of any subsidiary of the successor company or rights to subscribe for any such securities;
    4. (d) any administrative expenses incurred by the Secretary of State in consequence of the provisions of the Act;
    5. (e) any increase attributable to the Act in the sums payable out of moneys so provided under any other Act;
    110
  3. (3) the payment out of the National Loans Fund of any sums required by the Secretary of State for making loans under the Act;
  4. (4) any payments into the National Loans Fund or the Consolidated Fund;
and for the purposes of this Resolution "successor company" has the meaning given by the Act and "transferred loan" means any money borrowed or treated as borrowed by British Telecommunications the liability to repay which vests in the successor company by virtue of the Act.

The House divided: Ayes 278, Noes 234.

Division No. 22] [10.27 pm
AYES
Adley, Robert Emery, Sir Peter
Aitken, Jonathan Eyre, Reginald
Alexander, Richard Fairbairn, Nicholas
Alison, Rt Hon Michael Faith, Mrs Sheila
Amery, Rt Hon Julian Farr, John
Ancram, Michael Fenner, Mrs Peggy
Arnold, Tom Finsberg, Geoffrey
Aspinwall, Jack Fisher, Sir Nigel
Atkins, Rt Hon H.(S'thorne) Fletcher, A. (Ed'nb'gh N)
Atkins, Robert(Preston N) Fletcher-Cooke, Sir Charles
Baker, Kenneth(St.M'bone) Fookes, Miss Janet
Baker, Nicholas (N Dorset) Forman, Nigel
Beaumont-Dark, Anthony Fowler, Rt Hon Norman
Bendell, Vivian Fox, Marcus
Benyon, Thomas (A'don) Fraser, Rt Hon Sir Hugh
Best, Keith Fraser, Peter (South Angus)
Bevan, David Gilroy Gardiner, George (Reigate)
Biffen, Rt Hon John Gardner, Edward (S Fylde)
Biggs-Davison, Sir John Garel-Jones, Tristan
Blackburn, John Gilmour, Rt Hon Sir Ian
Blaker, Peter Glyn, Dr Alan
Body, Richard Goodhart, Sir Philip
Bonsor, Sir Nicholas Goodhew, Sir Victor
Bottomley, Peter (W'wich W) Gorst, John
Boyson, Dr Rhodes Gow, Ian
Braine, Sir Bernard Gower, Sir Raymond
Bright, Graham Gray, Rt. Hon. Hamish
Brinton, Tim Greenway, Harry
Brittan, Rt. Hon. Leon Griffiths, E.(B'y St. Edm' ds)
Brooke, Hon Peter Griffiths, Peter Portsm'th N)
Brotherton, Michael Grist, Ian
Brown, Michael(Brigg & Sc'n) Grylls, Michael
Browne, John (Winchester) Gummer, John Selwyn
Bruce-Gardyne, John Hamilton, Hon A.
Bryan, Sir Paul Hamilton, Michael (Salisbury)
Buchanan-Smith, Rt. Hon. A. Hampson, Dr Keith
Buck, Antony Hannam, John
Budgen, Nick Haselhurst, Alan
Bulmer, Esmond Hastings, Stephen
Burden, Sir Frederick Havers, Rt Hon Sir Michael
Butcher, John Hawksley, Warren
Carlisle, John (Luton West) Hayhoe, Barney
Carlisle, Kenneth (Lincoln) Heddle, John
Channon, Rt. Hon. Paul Henderson, Barry
Chapman, Sydney Heseltine, Rt Hon Michael
Churchill, W. S. Hicks, Robert
Clark, Hon A. (Plym'th, S'n) Higgins, Rt Hon Terence L.
Clark, Sir W. (Croydon S) Hogg, Hon Douglas (Gr'th'm)
Clarke, Kenneth (Rushcliffe) Holland, Philip (Carlton)
Clegg, Sir Walter Hooson, Tom
Colvin, Michael Hordern, Peter
Cope, John Howe, Rt Hon Sir Geoffrey
Cormack, Patrick Howell, Rt Hon D. (G I'ldf'd)
Corrie, John Hunt, David (Wirral)
Costain, Sir Albert Hunt, John (Ravensbourne)
Cranborne, Viscount Hurd, Rt Hon Douglas
Critchley, Julian Irvine, Rt Hon Bryant Godman
Crouch, David Irving, Charles (Cheltenham)
Dickens, Geoffrey Jenkin, Rt Hon Patrick
du Cann, Rt Hon Edward Johnson Smith, Sir Geoffrey
Dunn, Robert (Dartford) Jopling, Rt Hon Michael
Dykes, Hugh Joseph, Rt Hon Sir Keith
Eden, Rt Hon Sir John Kaberry, Sir Donald
Edwards, Rt Hon N. (P'broke) Kellett-Bowman, Mrs Elaine
Eggar, Tim Kimball, Sir Marcus
Elliott, Sir William King, Rt Hon Tom
Kitson, Sir Timothy Ridley, Hon Nicholas
Knox, David Ridsdale, Sir Julian
Lamont, Norman Roberts, M. (Cardiff NW)
Lang, Ian Roberts, Wyn (conway)
Langford-Holt, Sir John Rossi, Hugh
Latham, Michael Rost, Peter
Lawrence, Ivan Royle, Sir Anthony
Lee, John Rumbold, Mrs A. C. R.
Le Marchant, Spencer Sainsbury, Hon Timothy
Lennox-Boyd, Hon Mark St. John-Stevas, Rt Hon N.
Lewis, Kenneth (Rutland) Scott, Nicholas
Lloyd, Peter (Fareham) Shaw, Giles (Pudsey)
Luce, Richard Shaw, Sir Michael (Scarb')
Lyell, Nicholas Shelton, William (Streatham)
McCrindle, Robert Shepherd, Colin (Hereford)
Macfarlane, Neil Shepherd, Richard
MacGregor, John Shersby, Michael
MacKay, John (Argyll) Silvester, Fred
Macmillan, Rt Hon M. Sims, Roger
McNair-Wilson, M. (N'bury) Skeet, T. H. H.
McNair-Wilson, P. (New F'st) Smith, Tim (Beaconsfield)
Madel, David Speller, Tony
Major, John Spence, John
Marland, Paul Spicer, Jim (West Dorset)
Marlow, Antony Spicer, Michael (S Worcs)
Marten, Rt Hon Neil Sproat, Iain
Mates, Michael Squire, Robin
Mather, Carol Stanbrook, Ivor
Mawby, Ray Stanley, John
Mawhinney, Dr Brian Steen, Anthony
Maxwell-Hyslop, Robin Stevens, Martin
Mayhew, Patrick Stewart, A.(E Renfrewshire)
Mellor, David Stewart, Ian (Hitchin)
Meyer, Sir Anthony Stokes, John
Miller, Hal (B'grove) Stradling Thomas, J.
Mills, Iain (Meriden) Tapsell, Peter
Mills, Sir Peter (West Devon) Taylor, Teddy (S'end E)
Miscampbell, Norman Tebbit, Rt Hon Norman
Moate, Roger Temple-Morris, Peter
Monro, Sir Hector Thatcher, Rt Hon Mrs M.
Montgomery, Fergus Thompson, Donald
Morgan, Geraint Thorne, Neil (Ilford South)
Morris, M. (N'hampton S) Thornton, Malcolm
Morrison, Hon C. (Devizes) Townend, John (Bridlington)
Morrison, Hon P. (Chester) Townsend, Cyril D, (B'heath)
Murphy, Christopher Trippier, David
Myles, David Trotter, Neville
Neale, Gerrard Van Straubenzee, Sir W.
Needham, Richard Vaughan, Dr Gerard
Nelson, Anthony Viggers, Peter
Neubert, Michael Waddington, David
Newton, Tony Wakeham, John
Onslow, Cranley Waldegrave, Hon William
Oppenheim, Rt Hon Mrs S. Walker, Rt Hon P. (W'cester)
Page, Richard (SW Herts) Walker, B. (Perth )
Parkinson, Rt Hon Cecil Walker-Smith, Rt Hon Sir D.
Parris, Matthew Wall, Sir Patrick
Patten, Christopher (Bath) Waller, Gary
Patten, John (Oxford) Walters, Dennis
Pattie, Geoffrey Ward, John
Pawsey, James Warren, Kenneth
Percival, Sir Ian Watson, John
Peyton, Rt Hon John Wells, Bowen
Pink, R. Bonner Wells, John (Maidstone)
Pollock, Alexander Wheeler, John
Prentice, Rt Hon Reg Whitelaw, Rt Hon William
Price, Sir David (Eastleigh) Whitney, Raymond
Proctor, K. Harvey Williams, D.(Montgomery)
Pym, Rt Hon Francis Winterton, Nicholas
Raison, Rt Hon Timothy Wolfson, Mark
Rathbone, Tim Young, Sir George (Acton)
Rees, Peter (Dover and Deal)
Renton, Tim Teller for the Ayes:
Rhodes James, Robert Mr. Anthony Berry and
Rhys Williams, Sir Brandon Mr. Robert Boscawen.
NOES
Abse, Leo Anderson, Donald
Allaun, Frank Archer, Rt Hon Peter
Alton, David Ashley, Rt Hon Jack
Ashton, Joe Haynes, Frank
Atkinson, N.(H'gey,) Healey, Rt Hon Denis
Barnett, Guy (Greenwich) Heffer, Eric S.
Barnett, Rt Hon Joel (H'wd) Hogg, N. (E Dunb't'nshire)
Beith, A. J. Holland, S. (L'b'th, Vauxh'll)
Benn, Rt Hon Tony Home Robertson, John
Bennett, Andrew(St'kp't N) Homewood, William
Booth, Rt Hon Albert Horam, John
Bray, Dr Jeremy Howell, Rt Hon D.
Brocklebank-Fowler, C. Howells, Geraint
Brown, R. C. (N'castle W) Hoyle, Douglas
Brown, Ron (E'burgh, Leith) Huckfield, Les
Buchan, Norman Hudson Davies, Gwilym E.
Callaghan, Rt Hon J. Hughes, Mark (Durham)
Callaghan, Jim (Midd't'n & P) Hughes, Robert (Aberdeen N)
Campbell, Ian Hughes, Roy (Newport)
Campbell-Savours, Dale Janner, Hon Greville
Canavan, Dennis Jay, Rt Hon Douglas
Cant, R. B. John, Brynmor
Carter-Jones, Lewis Johnson, James (Hull West)
Cartwright, John Johnson, Walter (Derby S)
Clark, Dr David (S Shields) Johnston, Russell (Inverness)
Cocks, Rt Hon M. (B'stol S) Jones, Rt Hon Alec (Rh'dda)
Cohen, Stanley Jones, Barry (East Flint)
Concannon, Rt Hon J. D. Jones, Dan (Burnley)
Conlan, Bernard Kaufman, Rt Hon Gerald
Cook, Robin F. Kerr, Russell
Craigen, J. M. (G'gow, M'hill) Kilroy-Silk, Robert
Crawshaw, Richard Lamond, James
Crowther, Stan Leadbitter, Ted
Cryer, Bob Leighton, Ronald
Cunliffe, Lawrence Lestor, Miss Joan
Cunningham, G. (Islington S) Lewis, Arthur (N'ham NW)
Cunningham, Dr J. (W'h'n) Lewis, Ron (Carlisle)
Dalyell, Tam Litherland, Robert
Davies, Rt Hon Denzil (L'lli) Lofthouse, Geoffrey
Davis, Terry (B'ham, Stechf'd) Lyons, Edward (Bradf'd W)
Deakins, Eric Mabon, Rt Hon Dr J. Dickson
Dean, Joseph (Leeds West) McCartney, Hugh
Dewar, Donald McDonald, Dr Oonagh
Dixon, Donald McKelvey, William
Dobson, Frank MacKenzie, Rt Hon Gregor
Dormand, Jack Maclennan, Robert
Dubs, Alfred McMahon, Andrew
Duffy, A. E. P. McNamara, Kevin
Dunnett, Jack McTaggart, Robert
Dunwoody, Hon Mrs G. McWilliam, John
Eadie, Alex Marks, Kenneth
Ellis, R. (NE D'bysh're) Marshall, D (G'gow S'ton)
Ellis, Tom (Wrexham) Marshall, Dr Edmund (Goole)
English, Michael Marshall, Jim (Leicester S)
Ennals, Rt Hon David Mason, Rt Hon Roy
Evans, Ioan (Aberdare) Maxton, John
Evans, John (Newton) Maynard, Miss Joan
Ewing, Harry Meacher, Michael
Field, Frank Mikardo, Ian
Fitch, Alan Mitchell, Austin (Grimsby)
Fitt, Gerard Mitchell, R. C. (Soton Itchen)
Flannery, Martin Morris, Rt Hon C. (O'shaw)
Foot, Rt Hon Michael Moyle, Rt Hon Roland
Ford, Ben Newens, Stanley
Foster, Derek Oakes, Rt Hon Gordon
Foulkes, George Ogden, Eric
Fraser, J. (Lamb'th, N'w'd) O'Halloran, Michael
Freeson, Rt Hon Reginald O'Neill, Martin
Freud, Clement Orme, Rt Hon Stanley
Garrett, John (Norwich S) Owen, Rt Hon Dr David
George, Bruce Palmer, Arthur
Gilbert, Rt Hon Dr John Park, George
Ginsburg, David Parker, John
Golding, John Parry, Robert
Graham, Ted Pendry, Tom
Grant, John (Islington C) Penhaligon, David
Grimond, Rt Hon J. Pitt, William Henry
Hamilton, James (Bothwell) Powell, Raymond (Ogmore)
Hamilton, W. W. (C'tral Fife) Prescott, John
Harman, Harriet (Peckham) Price, C. (Lewisham W)
Harrison, Rt Hon Walter Race, Reg
Hart, Rt Hon Dame Judith Radice, Giles
Hattersley, Rt Hon Roy Rees, Rt Hon M (Leeds S)
Richardson, Jo Summerskill, Hon Dr Shirley
Roberts, Albert (Normanton) Taylor, Mrs Ann (Bolton W)
Roberts, Allan (Bootle) Thomas, Dafydd (Merioneth)
Roberts, Ernest (Hackney N) Thomas, Mike (Newcastle E)
Roberts, Gwilym (Cannock) Thomas, Dr R. (Carmarthen)
Robertson, George Thorne, Stan (Preston South)
Robinson, G. (Coventry NW) Tilley, John
Rodgers, Rt Hon William Tinn, James
Rooker, J. W. Torney, Tom
Roper, John Varley, Rt Hon Eric G.
Ross, Ernest (Dundee West) Wainwright, E. (Dearne V)
Ross, Stephen (Isle of Wight) Wainwright, R. (Colne V)
Rowlands, Ted Walker, Rt Hon H. (D'caster)
Ryman, John Wardell, Gareth
Sandelson, Neville Watkins, David
Sever, John Weetch, Ken
Sheerman, Barry Wellbeloved, James
Sheldon, Rt Hon R. Welsh, Michael
Shore, Rt Hon Peter White, Frank R.
Short, Mrs Renée Whitehead, Phillip
Silkin, Rt Hon J. (Deptford) Whitlock, William
Silkin, Rt Hon S. C. (Dulwich) Wigley, Dafydd
Silverman, Julius Williams, Rt Hon A. (S'sea W)
Skinner, Dennis Wilson, Gordon (Dundee E)
Smith, Cyril (Rochdale) Wilson, Rt Hon Sir H. (H'ton)
Snape, Peter Wilsopn, William (C'try SE)
Soley, Clive Winnick, David
Speller, John Francis (B'ham) Woodall, Alec
Spriggs, Leslie Woolmer, Kenneth
Stallard, A. W. Wrigglesworth, Ian
Steel, Rt Hon David Wright, Sheila
Stewart, Rt Hon D. (W Isles) Young, David (Bolton E)
Stoddart, David
Stott, Roger Teller for the Noes:
Strang, Gavin Mr. Allen McKay and
Straw, Jack Mr. George Morton.

Question accordingly agreed to.