§ Mr. HoodTo ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what the outcome was of the Transport and Telecommunications Council held in Brussels on 15 October; what the Government's stance was on each issue discussed, including their voting record; and if she will make a statement. [9363]
§ Mr. AlexanderI represented the UK for the posts and telecoms aspects of the Transport and Telecoms Council in Luxembourg on 15 October.
The Council, with the support of almost all member states, reached political agreement on a common position on postal services liberalisation which would safeguard the continued provision of universal service and provide for UK licensing arrangements. The UK supported the political agreement having secured adjustments to meet these points. Under the agreement, the level of services that may be reserved will reduce to 100 grams in 2003, to 50 grams in 2006 but leave the final step in 2009 to a Council/European Parliament decision in 2006 following a Commission assessment of universal service.
The Presidency gave information on the proposed Communications Data Protection Directive. At the UK's initiative in the light of the measures announced by my right hon. Friend the Home Secretary on 15 October 2001, Official Report, column 923, member states discussed the implications of the directive for the retention of data for law-enforcement purposes following the recent terrorist attacks in the United States. It was agreed that there should be further consideration to ensure that the directive will not restrict member states from taking action against terrorism.
The Presidency also gave information on the proposed Framework, Access, Authorisation and Universal Service Directives arising from the 1999 Communications Review. These proposals are now undergoing second readings in the European Parliament following the Council's adoption of common positions in September.
The Council held a debate on Network and Information Security, on which the Presidency intends to present a Resolution at the Transport and Telecoms Council in December.
The Commission also presented a Communication on website accessibility for disabled users, part of the eEurope Action Plan, and a Communication on the Interchange of Data between Administrations (IDA) programme, aimed at improving working practices within the EU.