§ Mr. Peter Fraserasked the Secretary of State for Industry what arrangements he is making, in preparation for the liberalisation of telecommunications subscriber equipment, for the writing of the standards referred to in clause 16 of the British Telecommunications Bill and for the authentication of subscriber equipment; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mr. Kenneth BakerThe British Standards Institution (BSI) has agreed to undertake the writing of new telecommunications standards. I understand that in accordance with the BSI's usual procedure, it has begun to set up a standards committee to manage this task. My right hon. Friend the Secretary of State has asked the British Electro-Technical Approvals Board (BEAB) to act as authentication authority for the type-testing and certification or approval of apparatus once the liberalised arrangements come into force after the enactment of the British Telecommunications Bill.