§ Q21. Mr. Spearingasked the Prime Minister if she is satisfied with the competitive quality of the British telecommunications industry.
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§ The Prime MinisterThe United Kingdom telecommunications industry is continuing to market its equipment and services overseas, especially submarine cables and viewdata. It is also increasingly demonstrating its capability at home in areas such as new system X exchanges, the first installation of which is now in operation in London; and in optical fibres, where the United Kingdom was among the first to set up pilot systems. The industry is also developing further new products in telecommunications and in the broader information technology field for home and export markets. The Government intend to introduce further competition in the home market under the provisions of the British Telecommunications Bill through a phased programme to allow time for the industry to adjust to the new conditions. This will enable the industry to develop further its marketing skills and customer relations both at home and overseas.