§ Mr. GorstTo ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what information he has on east and west European countries that have regulations banning or affecting the temporary importation and use of cars equipped with permanently fixed telephones that can be operated only within the United Kingdom; and if he has any plans to make bilateral or international arrangements to reduce this problem.
§ Mr. Forth[holding answer 20 February 1990]: My Department does not collect such information on a systematic basis. However, I am aware that many countries make arrangements to prevent the operation of mobile radio equipment installed in cars which because of differing frequency allocations or equipment standards cannot be lawfully used in those countries, either through sealing up the radio equipment or preventing its importation entirely.
793WAs international radio networks develop, arrangements are being put in place to permit the temporary importation and operation of this type of equipment. Eighteen member nations of CEPT, the organisation of European telecommunications operators, including the United Kingdom, have signed a memorandum of understanding for the introduction of a pan-European cellular radio network which will, among other things, allow for the free circulation of the relevant equipment in these countries. Similar moves are contemplated by the European Commission, both with regard to equipment standards and free circulation, although discussions on the latter are at an early stage.
I believe that these moves will go a considerable way towards alleviating this problem where it occurs.