HC Deb 06 December 1989 vol 163 cc302-3W
Mr. Warren

To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what plans he has to evaluate the results of his decision to grant a special licence to British Telecom to convey integrated voice telephony and entertainment television over a trial optical fibre network at Bishops Stortford, announced on 14 November; and what plans he has to transfer the technology to other parts of the economy.

Mr. Forth

It is primarily for British Telecom and the companies involved in the trial to evaluate the results. Similarly, the transfer of technology is a matter for the companies themselves.

Mr. Warren

To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry whether the decision to grant a special licence to British Telecom to convey integrated voice telephony and entertainment television over a trial optical fibre network at Bishops Stortford, announced on 14 November, will involve any public expenditure.

Mr. Forth

No public expenditure will be involved.

Mr. Warren

To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry whether the decision to grant a special licence to British Telecom to convey integrated voice telephony and entertain television over a trial optical fibre network at Bishop Stortford, announced on 14 November, reflects any change of policy on the creation of a national broadband network based on fibreoptic cable since the publication of the White Paper, "Information Technology," Cm 646.

Mr. Forth

No. The trial is consistent with the policy announced in the White Paper on information technology.