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Dept of Trade and Industry

Answer

Dr. Wright: To ask the President of the Board of Trade which of the advisory non-departmental public bodies sponsored by the Office of Telecommunications (a) have a statutory base, (b) publish their advice to Government, (c) publish an annual report and (d) lay an annual report before Parliament; and if he will indicate in each instance whether this is under a statutory requirement. [21715] Mr. John M. Taylor: The following is the information: English Advisory Committee on Telecommunications Northern Ireland Advisory Committee on Telecommunications Scottish Advisory Committee on Telecommunications Welsh Advisory Committee on Telecommunications Business Advisory Committee on Telecommunications Advisory Committee on Telecommunications for Disabled and Elderly People. All six ACTs have a statutory basis--section 54 (1) or 54 (4) of the Telecommunications Act 1984--and are remitted by that Act to advise the Director General of Telecommunications (OFTEL). ACT advice given to Oftel in response to public consultations undertaken by Oftel is made available for public reference in Oftel's library, along with other responses received. Advice given to Oftel in other circumstances may by published, in whole or part, by Oftel or by the ACT itself at the discretion of the chairman by way of press release, newsletter or annual report. A summary annual report by each ACT is submitted to the director general and published by him as part of Oftel's annual report, which is laid before Parliament. This is a statutory requirement. Each ACT also publishes and disseminates widely a more detailed annual report of its own activities and views. This is voluntary. Copies are not laid before Parliament, but are available to Members of both Houses--and to the public--on request and free of charge.

Secondary information

Type

Written question

Reference

21715; 292 c1010-1W

Session

1996-97

Subjects

Disclosure of information Annual reports Government departments Publications Non-departmental public bodies Office of Telecommunications