§ Mr. CartwrightTo ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what representations he has received from industries and commercial companies about the additional costs arising from the 1994 telephone standardisation programme.
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§ Mr. RedwoodThe Director General of Telecommunications is responsible for numbering. Over the past two years he has undertaken extensive research and consultation on a new numbering plan. Users who responded to the consultation exercise gave overwhelming support to a 10-digit scheme of the kind that has now been approved by the director general.
§ Mr. CartwrightTo ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry if he will extend the proposed period for the completion of the 1994 telephone standardisation programme.
§ Mr. RedwoodThe new national numbering plan is the responsibility of the Director General of Telecommunications. He consulted widely on its proposed completion date. The plan is expected to be implemented over the Easter weekend of 1994, which should give telecommunications users adequate time to prepare for the change.