§ Mr. Warrenasked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry why, following a statement by his Department that British teletex equipment would be approved for sale in the United Kingdom on 1 October, the only approval granted by British Telecom has been for foreign equipment; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mr. ButcherThe teletex promotion scheme provides a grant towards the cost to subscribers of purchasing certified teletex equipment from five British companies between October 1983 and June 1984. The scheme does not prevent other suppliers from selling certified equipment. It is the responsibility of suppliers to arrange
380Wfor the certification by BT of the equipment for attachment to British Telecom's teletex service. Equipment to be supplied under the teletex scheme is now expected to be submitted for testing later this month. Delays in the supply of teletex equipment are due in large part to technical problems in implementing the teletex standard. Certain foreign suppliers have an advantage in this respect due to the earlier introduction of teletex services in Sweden and Germany. Equipment supplied by Ericsson Information Systems has obtained certification.