§ Mr. Mark RobinsonTo ask the President of the Board of Trade how many telecommunications licences have been granted since the duopoly review in March 1991.
§ Mr. HeseltineA total of 47 telecommunications licences have been issued since March 1991. In addition, I have now decided in principle to grant licences to Concert—the BT/MCI joint venture which has recently obtained clearance from the United States Department of Justice—and AT and T. Draft licences will be prepared and will be subject to consultation in due course. Public consultation is obligatory for all public telecommunications operator licences, such as AT and T's. It is not obligatory in the case of Concert's non-PTO application. However, I have decided that in this case it would be appropriate to give interested parties the opportunity to comment. The issue of the licences is subject to agreement on the detailed terms and conditions.