§ Mr. BakerTo ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department who has the authority to order the disconnection of Category 3 phone numbers under the Telephone Preference Scheme. [15777]
§ Mr. George HowarthCentral Government have the authority to order the disconnection of Category 3 phone numbers under the Telephone Preference Scheme in response to a situation affecting defence or national security.
Telecommunications operators can also disconnect Category 3 phone numbers to provide assured access to the public network for essential users in the event of a heavy overload or damage to the public network.
§ Mr. BakerTo ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department when the allocation of telephone numbers under Categories l to 3 of the Telephone Preference Scheme was last reviewed; and by whom. [15780]
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§ Mr. George HowarthThe allocation of telephone numbers in the three categories was reviewed in 1996 by an Inter-departmental Working Party with representatives from the Home Office, Cabinet Office, Department of Trade and Industry, Ministry of Defence and Public Telecommunication Operators.
§ Mr. BakerTo ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will list the companies and organisations in(a) Category 1 and (b) Category 2 under the Telephone Preference Scheme. [15779]
§ Mr. George HowarthThe Telephone Preference Scheme Category 1 applies to Central Government emergency services, local authorities, the military and the utilities, all of which have a key role in an emergency. Category 2 applies to all public call boxes and coin operated telephones. It is not possible to provide a full list within the two categories without incurring disproportionate cost.