HC Deb 14 July 1999 vol 335 c209W
Mr. Burstow

To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry if he will set out the progress that has been made in implementing Article 8 of the EC Revised Voice Telephony Directive. [90789]

Mr. Wills

Article 8 of the Revised Voice Telephony Directive (RVTD) requires member states to take specific measures where appropriate to ensure equal access to, and affordability of, fixed public telephone services, including directory services for disabled users and users with special social needs. Regulations implementing Article 8 were made in 1998 (The Telecommunications (Open Network Provision) (Voice Telephony) Regulations 1998).

Following a consultation exercise in 1998, Oftel has proposed further specific measures to improve access to telecommunications for the disabled. The Government are planning to consult on the detail of these proposals later this year.