HC Deb 13 April 1984 vol 58 cc465-6W
Mr. Teddy Taylor

asked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry whether he will make a statement about the future of the radio interference service.

Mr. Kenneth Baker

The Government have decided that the functions at present performed on the Secretary of State's behalf by British Telecom's Radio Interference Service should be transferred to the Department of Trade and Industry with effect from the day on which the assets and liabilities of the corporation are transferred to the successor company.

It is expected that at least some of the staff engaged on this work at the time of its transfer will wish to transfer to the Department. Officials have begun discussions with British Telecom and with the trade unions concerned on the details of the transfer and it is hoped that proposals can be put to the staff concerned and their representatives shortly.

The Government will also review the functions of the radio interference service in the course of the next 18 months to determine what resources it needs.