§ 3.8 p.m.
Lord WALLACE of COSLANYMy Lords, I beg leave to ask the second Question which stands in my name on the Order Paper.
§ The Question was as follows:
§ To ask Her Majesty's Government whether they will undertake a review of the British telecommunications manufacturing industry.
§ Lord BESWICKMy Lords, my right honourable friend the Secretary of State will be considering the Post Office's manufacturing proposals in the light of information arising from continuous contact with the telecommunications manufacturing industry.
Lord WALLACE of COSLANYMy Lords, is my noble friend aware that an efficient telecommunications system is vital to British industry? Is he further aware that, while the Post Office is spending about £700 million a year on equipment, its engineers have been plagued for years by delays in equipment and failure to complete contracts, and that the public blames the Post Office for these delays, whereas the blame lies in other directions? It is about time that something was done about this and that the whole matter was investigated.
§ Lord BESWICKMy Lords, the answer to the first part of the noble Lord's question is, yes. As to the second part, it is in the view of different people a rather more complicated question than my noble friend suggests. But certainly we think that some improvements in the situation can be effected.