§ Mr. Michael MarshallTo ask the Prime Minister what information she has received regarding the Japanese Government's undertaking to license a second KDD international telecommunications consortium, including British investment through Cable and Wireless plc; and whether in the light of previous representations made by herself, other Ministers and parliamentarians of all parties, Her Majesty's Government will take a continuing interest in the progress of further negotiations.
§ The Prime MinisterI understand that Mr. Nakayama, the Japanese Minister for Posts and Telecommunications,162W has now awarded a licence to the International Digital Communications consortium, of which Cable and Wireless is a member. I very much welcome this decision.
The Government have expressed consistent support for Cable and Wireless's involvement in the IDC consortium and I raised the issue personally with Mr. Nakasone earlier this year.
We shall continue to follow with close interest the progress of this project.