HC Deb 16 July 1980 vol 988 cc584-5W
Sir Bernard Braine

asked the Secretary of State for Industry what discussions he has had with the European Economic Community and the British manufacturers making Post Office-approved telecommunications equipment regarding the problems caused by the import of equipment which does not carry a Post Office certificate in respect of safety and compatibility.

Mr. Michael Marshall

My right hon. Friend has not had discussions specifically on the issue of imports of this kind, since equipment that has not been approved for use on the Post Office network may legitimately be used on privately provided telecommunications circuits. Contravention of any relevant legislation by the content of a particular advertisement used by a supplier of such equipment would be a matter for the appropriate enforcement authority.

Sir Bernard Braine

asked the Secretary of State for Industry when he expects to give a direction to Post Office telcommunications on its plans to enforce regulations in regard to the connection of unapproved equipment to public telephone lines.

Mr. Michael Marshall

My right hon. Friend has no plans to give a direction to the Post Office on this matter. Schemes made by the Post Office under section 28 of the Post Office Act 1969 provide for disconnection, if equipment is attached to a Post Office installation without the Post Office's consent. In addition, a person operating equipment which is attached to the public telecommunications network, but which has not been provided or licensed by the Post Office, is infringing the Post Office's telecommunications monopoly conferred by Section 24(1) of the Post Office Act 1969.

My right hon. Friend hopes to make an announcement soon on the Government's review of the Post. Office's telecommunications monopoly. But he has already made it clear that the technical integrity of the network will continue to be safeguarded by some form of approval procedure.