§ Mr. Fisherasked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry if he has sought assurances from British Telecom on cross-subsidisation of its manufacturing and supply activities.
§ Mr. Butcher[pursuant to the reply, 8 May 1984, c.310]: The licence that the Secretary of State will grant to British Telecom under the Telecommunications Act will contain conditions designed to ensure that British Telecom does not cross-subsidise its apparatus production or its apparatus supply businesses from profits gained from its network business. These conditions will be similar to those in the draft British Telecom licence, published in October 1983, amended and expanded as necessary in the light of comments received. BT's compliance with the conditions of its licence will be monitored and if necessary enforced by the Director General of Telecommunications.
§ Mr. Fisherasked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what discussions he has had in the past six months with the Telecommunications Engineering and 385W Manufacturing Association and individual manufacturers on British Telecom's purchasing policy and rights to manufacture.
§ Mr.Butcher[pursuant to the reply, 8 May 1984, c. 310]: I and officials of my Department are in frequent contact with the Telecommunications Engineering and Manufacturing Association and with individual manufacturers about the whole range of issues concerning telecommunications manufacturing and supply.