§ Lord Ponsonby of ShulbredeMy Lords, on behalf of my noble friend Lord Beswick, I should like to ask the Question standing in his name on the Order Paper. Unfortunately my noble friend is unwell today.
§ The Question was as follows:
§ To ask Her Majesty's Government whether they have received a copy of the case against privatisation from the Society of Telecom Executives, and what comments they have made in reply.
§ The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State, Department of Health and Social Security (Lord Trefgarne)My Lords, the Government received a copy of the Society of Telecom Executives' publication, The Case against Privatisation of British Telecom, on 26th April. A reply will be sent shortly.
§ Lord Ponsonby of ShulbredeMy Lords, I wonder whether the Government have discussed the report with the members of the Society of Telecom Executives. The noble Lord will know that this is an authoritative report which soberly sets out the case against privatisation.
§ Lord TrefgarneMy Lords, as I have said, the document has only just been received, and it has not yet been possible for me to reach a considered conclusion on it.