§ Mr. David EvansTo ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry if he will make a statement on the outcome of the Telecommunications Council on 3 June.
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§ Mr. RedwoodThe main item for discussion was the European Commission's plans for applying multiplexed analogue components standards to direct broadcasting by satellite. The discussion, on the basis of an oral report by the Commission, revealed wide differences of view between those member states which wish to impose MAC standards quickly and with few exceptions, and those including most particularly the United Kingdom, who would wish to let the market decide whether existing PAL transmissions should be replaced. The United Kingdom expressed dismay at the Commission's initial proposals which would force broadcasters to act in a way that may not be consistent with their commercial judgment and would risk cutting growth in demand for satellite TV by imposing unnecessary costs on consumers. The Commission is now reflecting on the discussion and is expected to issue its final proposals very soon.
The otherwise relatively light agenda included an interim report from the Commission on the response to its green paper on satellite communications, and a report on progress towards publication of a green paper on postal services in Europe. The Commission also presented its proposal for harmonising the international telephony access code.
A final decision was taken to adopt a directive on the frequency bands to be reserved for digital European cordless telecommunications—DECT—and a recommendation on the co-ordinated introduction of DECT in the Community. In view of the outstanding budgetary concerns on the part of some member states, including the United Kingdom, the adoption of the proposed Council decision establishing the second phase of the TEDIS programme—trade electronics data interchange systems —was deferred.