§ Lord Kennetasked Her Majesty's Government:
Whether British Telecom is in any way exempt from planning law, and if so what steps they propose to rectify this.
§ Lord Skelmersdale:British Telecom's previous exemption from planning control in respect of certain telecommunications developments was repealed with effect from 1st November 1985. Instead, an admendment to the General Development Order gave British Telecom and other companies, to which the powers in the Telecommunications Code contained in the Telecommunications Act 1984 have been applied, a general freedom to install certain minor apparatus without the need for specific planning permission. However, the rights under the GDO are narrower than under the previous exemption as the present rights are subject to limitations—for example, in respect of size and height of apparatus—and further limitations apply in national parks, Areas of Outstanding Natural Beauty, conservation areas, and in the Broads. No changes to this situation are proposed.