HC Deb 01 July 1985 vol 82 c2W
Mr. Golding

asked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry (1) whether he will now ensure that all public telephone operators display notices explaining how coinbox telephones can be used by people with hearing aids;

(2) whether he will now ensure that all public telephone operators fitting Statesman telephones ensure that the models can be used by those wearing hearing aids; and whether he will make a statement.

Mr. Butcher

The obligations required of licensed telecommunications operators are matters which are the responsibility of the Director General of Telecommunications. I am drawing the hon. Member's questions to his attention with the request that he write to the hon. Member.

Mr. Golding

asked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry whether he will now publish the code of practice for the magnetic coupling of telephones to hearing aids prepared by the working group on telecommunications for the hearing-impaired and issued to members on 31 May; and whether he will make a statement.

Mr. Butcher

The code of practice is a useful guide for telephone designers and hearing aid designers. I am grateful for the efforts put in to it by the working group. The Office of Telecommunications is arranging for the code of practice to be published shortly.