HL Deb 06 February 1984 vol 447 c993WA
Lord Orr-Ewing

asked Her Majesty's Government:

Whether they are satisfied that under the Telecommunications Bill, as now drafted, it will be possible for cable to be laid in publicly-owned sewers and water mains.

Lord Cockfield

Clause 85 of the Telecommunications Bill enables a water authority to install or authorise another person to install telecommunication apparatus inside a public sewer or a water main. To avoid doubt in cases where there are third party rights in public sewers, the Government propose to bring forward amendments to the Bill which will ensure that the authorisation of any works inside a public sewer will not constitute a contravention of any obligation imposed on a water authority.