§ 52. Mr. Patrick Thompsonasked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry if he will make a statement about the functions and role of the Office of Telecommunications.
§ Mr. PattieThe functions and role of the Director General of Telecommunications and of the Office of Telecommunications are as set out in the Telecommunications Act 1984.
The Act imposes on the director a number of specific functions, including the enforcement of conditions in the 193W licences granted to telecommunications operators and the investigation of complaints that are made about the provision of telecommunications services and apparatus. All the director's functions are carried out having regard to the general duties which are set out in section 3 of the Act and which include the maintenance and promotion of effective competition in telecommunications and the promotion of the interests of consumers, purchasers and other users of telecommunication services and apparatus in respect of prices, quality and variety.