§ Mr. Gryllsasked the Secretary of State for Industry what arrangements are being made to allow private sector suppliers of call routing apparatus to obtain approval of their apparatus to be supplied in competition with British Telecom, before it is possible for such apparatus to be submitted to the new independent approvals authority.
§ Mr. ButcherGood progress is being made in the writing of standards for the connection of various attachments to the public switched telephone network, and I was pleased to announce on October 14 that my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Industry had issued approvals of the first five standards for telecommunication apparatus. Suppliers of telephones and some other apparatus can now go to an independent body—the British Approvals Board for Telecommunications—for the approval needed to connect their equipment to the British Telecom network.
Prior to the publication of these standards the Government had introduced two interim schemes covering extension telephones, callmakers/repertory diallers and apparatus incorporating an integral modem. In addition to those companies listed in my announcement of 27 May—[Vol. 24, c. 363-4.]—a further 23 companies have been asked to submit apparatus for testing. These evaluations are progressing well and so far a total of 30 items of apparatus have been approved under these interim arrangements.
I am now able to announce that the Government, in collaboration with BT, have made arrangements for a further interim approval scheme for small call routing apparatus. This scheme will allow some suppliers of key-telephone systems, automatic call distribution apparatus and dealer-boards to obtain approval before comprehensive standards for call routing apparatus are published and approved. Suppliers of apparatus which gains approval under the scheme will be able to sell their equipment direct to the public in competition with BT.
Suppliers wishing to obtain approval for their apparatus should apply to the Department of Industry. The procedure for submitting an application is set out in a statement which has been placed in the libraries of both Houses.