§ Ms Colquhounasked the Secretary of State for Industry if he will hold an immediate inquiry into the run-down of the United Kingdom telecommunications industry.
§ Mr. Les HuckfieldSeveral meetings have been held by Ministers and the Post Office with representatives of the main companies and unions in the telecommunications industry about the consequences of the reduction announced in November 1976 by the Post Office in its future ordering programme for telephone exchange equipment. My right hon. Friend is arranging for an independent expert to consider the assessment which led the Post Office to reduce its ordering programme. My right hon. Friend is also considering the recommendations in a recent report by Sir Raymond Brown for the NEDC on arrangements to assist the industry's export efforts.