HC Deb 11 March 1998 vol 308 cc232-3W
Mr. Breed

To ask the President of the Board of Trade what is the Government's policy in respect of Article 8 of the Amending Voice Telephony Directive. [33234]

Mrs. Roche

The Government will be consulting shortly on their proposed implementation of the Amending Voice Telephony Directive including proposals on how to implement Article 8 of the Directive.

Mr. Breed

To ask the President of the Board of Trade what plans she has to consult with disabled people and disability organisations in respect of the Amending Voice Telephony Directive. [33232]

Mrs. Roche

The Government will be consulting shortly on their proposed implementation of the Amending Voice Telephony Directive. People with disabilities and disability organisations will be consulted as part of this exercise.

Mr. Breed

To ask the President of the Board of Trade what is the timetable for compliance with the Amending Voice Telephony Directive. [33235]

Mrs. Roche

The Amending Voice Telephony Directive comes into force on 30 June 1998. The Government plan to consult shortly on their proposals for implementing the Directive.

Mr. Breed

To ask the President of the Board of Trade what plans she has to ensure that the actions required to comply with the Amending Voice Telephony Directive are in line with OFTEL's proposals. [33231]

Mrs. Roche

OFTEL's proposals on telecommunications services for people with disabilities and the responses to OFTEL' s consultation should provide useful input to the development of the Government's proposals on implementation of the Amending Voice Telephony Directive, on which the Government will be consulting shortly.

Mr. Breed

To ask the President of the Board of Trade what is her Department's definition of fixed public phone services. [33233]

Mrs. Roche

The term fixed public telephone services is defined in EC law. In the Amending Voice Telephony Directive it is defined as followsFixed public telephone services may include—in addition to voice telephony service—access to emergency "112" services, the provision of operator assistance, directory services, provision of public pay phones, provision of service under special terms and/or provision of special facilities for customers with disabilities or with special social needs, as set out in this Directive, but does not include value added services provided over the public telephone network.

The Government will be consulting shortly on their proposed implementation of the Amending Voice Telephony Directive.