MEANING OF TELECOMMUNICATION SYSTEM" AND RELATED EXPRESSIONS (Hansard, 9 April 1984)

§ Mr. Butcher
I beg to move, That this House doth agree with the Lords in the said amendment.

Mr. Deputy Speaker
With this it will be convenient to take Lords amendments Nos. 7, 8, 10, 13 to 18, 172 and 252.

§ Mr. Butcher
These are straightforward amendments, designed to clarify and expand the meaning of what constitutes a telecommunications system and commercial activities connected with telecommunications. They also remove ambiguities from the definition of telecommunications apparatus and the circumstances in which a telecommunications system and apparatus are connected from the purpose of the Bill. I hope that these amendments will help the understanding of what is an important and complex clause.

§ Mr. Golding
How will these amendments assist our understanding of the clause?

§ Mr. Butcher
In some cases apparatus may switch without conveying, but apparatus may still need licensing. It would be nonsense if we were not to make that clear. Amendment No. 6 expands the definition of system. Subsection (1A) (a) provides that single items of apparatus that are connected to but not comprised in a telecommunication system are treated as systems and are therefore licensable.
Subsection (1A)(b) provides that apparatus that is connected to and comprised in a telecommunication system that extends beyond the United Kingdom is also licensable.
Amendment No. 7 clarifies the definition of commercial activities connected with telecommunications and so covers the acquisition of apparatus for a client. As the hon. Member for Newcastle-under-Lyme (Mr. Golding) will know, this covers BT.
With that further clarification, I commend these amendments to the House.