HL Deb 10 June 1997 vol 580 cc827-8

3 p.m.

Lord Campbell of Croy asked Her Majesty's Government:

Whether they will negotiate to obtain exemption from European Union Directive 91/263/EEC for telephone switchboards specially adapted for use by blind operators.

The Minister of State, Department of Trade and Industry (Lord Clinton-Davis)

My Lords, the Government are not now seeking to change Directive 91/263 on telecommunications terminal equipment since the Commission has now presented a successor directive to the Council of Ministers. We are pleased to note that the Commission proposals give special consideration to the needs of different disability groups including visually handicapped switchboard operators.

Lord Campbell of Croy

My Lords, I am grateful to the noble Lord for his reply, which is very satisfactory so far as it goes for the time being. The European Commission apparently considers that this kind of switchboard is incompatible with the single market. Can that view be explained, since it must be less expensive to produce ordinary switchboards than this special kind? Will there not be a case for subsidiarity if the process which the noble Lord indicated does not succeed?

Lord Clinton-Davis

My Lords, we are confident that we are able to use our influence in a productive way in this matter in order to secure what I believe are the noble Lord's concerns. We equally share those concerns. There is a case for introducing this measure within the single market. But there is a great deal that has to be discussed both in relation to the detail and the ambit of the proposal.

Lord Campbell of Croy

My Lords, is the noble Lord aware that blind people have shown that they can do such switchboard work most efficiently? Is it not shortsighted of other people to make it more difficult for them to do it?

Lord Clinton-Davis

My Lords, the noble Lord is quite right. Blind people have shown that, despite their disability, they can undertake such tasks. Indeed, that applies to other disabled people. We should be able to negotiate a satisfactory solution to the problem which I hope will accommodate the noble Lord's views.