§ Mr. HoodTo ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what was the outcome of the Telecommunications Council held in Brussels on 27 November; and if he will make a statement. [62034]
§ Mrs. RocheI represented the UK at the Telecommunications Council held in Brussels on 27 November.
The Council reached unanimous political agreement in respect of common positions on two Decisions establishing a five year programme for the Interchange of Data between Administrations (IDA). No agreement was reached on a draft Directive on a framework for electronic signatures, and it was therefore agreed that this proposal should be referred back to the Committee of Permanent Representatives for further discussion.
The Commission also made oral presentations on: a Communication on implementation by Member States of Community legislation in the telecommunications sector; a Green Paper on radio spectrum policy; and on a report to the European Council on job opportunities in the 214W information society. The Commission also provided an oral update on: the outcome of the OECD Conference on electronic commerce held in Ottawa in October; progress within the "Global Business Dialogue" on electronic commerce; and on internet domain name governance issues. The Presidency made an oral presentation on the outcome of the Conference "Coping with Convergence" held in Vienna on 3 November 1998.