§ Lord Balfour of Inchryeasked Her Majesty's Government:
Whether they will make representations to British Telecom about the issue of final demand notices to subscribers with the threat of disconnection and whether before despatching such notices they should not allow a reasonable period of time taking account of the various circumstances of subscribers in accordance with normal commercial practice.
523WA
§ The Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster (Lord Cockfield)Decisions on day-to-day operational matters, including the time of final demand notices, are for the commercial judgement of the board of British Telecom. I understand, however, from British Telecom that it is their current practice to allow at least five weeks before disconnecting any customer. British Telecom have advised the Government that they are considering more flexible arrangements but their introduction will depend on installation of new business computing systems, which may take some time to implement. A pilot system will go on trial next year.