§ Mr. McGradyTo ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what environmental protection measures have specifically been included in contracts awarded to CableTel for cabling in Northern Ireland as a result of experience in England. [38809]
§ Mr. Ian TaylorI have been asked to reply.
Cable franchisees require licensing under both broadcasting and telecommunications legislation. Although CableTel was awarded the Northern Ireland franchise earlier this year, and on 2 October was licensed under the Broadcasting Act 1990, it has yet to be granted a Telecommunications Act licence to enable it to install and run its systems in the street and on private land within the franchise area. During statutory public consultation on the granting of CableTel's licence there will be an opportunity for representations to be made about the inclusion of licence conditions relating to environmental protection.