HC Deb 15 December 1993 vol 234 cc679-80W
Mr. Waterson

To ask the President of the Board of Trade if he will make a statement on the outcome of the Telecommunications Council on 7 December.

Mr. McLoughlin

The Council reached agreement on three resolutions. The first of these, on postal services, sets out a framework for future Community measures and major policy goals for liberalisation. It invites the Commission to bring forward proposals defining universal postal services and an appropriate area of reserved services, setting out quality standards and establishing technical standards by July 1994. It stresses the need to make progress on the reform of the terminal dues system and the necessity of a cost-related and quality-related approach, inviting the Commission to report to the Council by 1 March 1994 if further action is necessary.

The second resolution concerned universal service in the telecommunications sector. This sets out a general approach to the provision of universal service for basic voice telephony. I was successful in negotiating a text which takes account of the Government's view, both of the importance of universal service and that the market would provide this service in the majority of cases. The Council agreed a redrafted text which left to member states, rather than the Commission, the appropriate definition of universal service, but set out general criteria for the application of access charges and other financial support to a universal service provider. These will play an important role in ensuring open and fair competition.

The Council also agreed a resolution on the introduction of satellite personal communication services in the Community. This notes the importance of the planned use of satellites in personal communications and stresses the importance of developing a Community policy. It invites member states to make efforts to develop such a policy and invites the Commission to investigate the significance of satellite personal communications, define an effective policy to improve the competitive position of European space and telecommunication industries and to monitor international developments.

There were short general debates on transeuropean networks, interchange of data between administrations and the electronic exchange of commercial statistics. It was agreed that a full evaluation of the needs of member states for IDA would be conducted before the issue was brought before the Council again. The Council adopted conclusions on radio frequencies, inviting the Commission to sign a memorandum of understanding with the European Radiocommunications Committee on frequency matters.

The Commission presented a proposal for a directive on standards for the transmission of television signals and a communication on digital video broadcasting. Council conclusions were agreed supporting the initiative of the European project for digital video broadcasting, stressing the importance of common standards and conditional access systems based on standards that ensure fair and open competition.

No formal votes were taken at the Council.