§ Mr. Brothertonasked the Secretary of State for Industry when he expects to relax the restrictions on the installation and use of privately produced telephone equipment.
§ Mr. Michael MarshallWe are examining the possible introduction of greater competition in the provision of equipment for attachment to the public network in the current review of the Post Office's telecommunications monopoly. My right hon. Friend expects to announce detailed proposals as soon as the review has been completed.
§ Mr. Brothertonasked the Secretary of State for Industry what is the current procedure for the technical vetting of 586W privately produced telephone equipment; who does the vetting; and what plans he has for changing the procedure after his review of the Post Office telephone monopoly.
§ Mr. Michael MarshallThe technical evaluation of telecommunications equipment in the course of its approval for connection to the Post Office network is a matter for the Post Office. It is too early to say what decisions might be taken following the review of the telecommunications monopoly.
§ Mr. Brothertonasked the Secretary of State for Industry what sanctions can be taken against telephone users who install and operate receivers which are not approved of by the Post Office.
§ Mr. Michael MarshallThe terms and conditions under which telecommunications service is provided by the Post Office are specified in schemes made by the Post Office under section 28 of the Post Office Act 1969. This provides for disconnection if equipment is attached to a Post Office installation without the Post Office's consent. In addition, a person operating equipment which is attached to the public telecommunications network but which has not been provided or licensed by the Post Office, is infringing the Post Office's telecommunications monopoly conferred by section 24(1) of the Post Office Act 1969; and under section 24(2) of the Act is liable:
- (a) on summary conviction, to a fine not exceeding £400;
- (b) on conviction on indictment, to a fine or to imprisonment for a term not exceeding two years, or both.
§ Mr. Brothertonasked the Secretary of State for Industry how many telephone users who have had non-Post Office approved private telephone equipment installed have been disconnected or prosecuted in the latest period for which figures are available.
§ Mr. Michael MarshallThis is a matter for the Post Office.
§ Mr. Brothertonasked the Secretary of State for Industry whether he has any plans to install privately produced telephone equipment in his Department.
§ Mr. Michael MarshallThe Department's telephone equipment is supplied 587W by the Post Office or obtained from suppliers whose products have been approved by the Post Office for attachment to the public network. There are at present no plans to change this policy.