Written question asked by Peter Bradley (Labour) on Monday, 19 March 2001, in the House of Commons. It was due for an answer on Thursday, 29 March 2001. It was answered by John Battle (Labour) on Thursday, 29 March 2001 on behalf of the Foreign and Commonwealth Office.

Foreign and Commonwealth Office

Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, if the dispute between Belize Telecom and the British High Commission in Belize has been resolved; and if he will make a statement.

Answer: Mr. Peter Bradley: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if the dispute between Belize Telecom and the British High Commission in Belize has been resolved; and if he will make a statement. [155055] Mr. Battle: It has not yet been resolved. The British High Commission (BHC) in Belmopan has been in correspondence with the Chairman of Belize Telecommunications Ltd. (BTL). The latest position is that BTL stands by its claim that the use of call-back services by the BHC is illegal. They are insisting that the BHC stop using call-back services and have raised the question of compensation. BTL have claimed that they are not obliged to maintain telephone services to subscribers who use call-back services. The BHC believed the call-back services represented good value for money. The BHC is clear that the use of call-back services is lawful, and that any action by BTL to terminate its telephone services in these circumstances would itself be unlawful.

Secondary information

Type: Written question
Reference: 155055; 365 c747W
Session: 2000-01
Subjects: Diplomatic service Telephone services Belize Belize Telecommunications
Link: View this Written question on www.publications.parliament.uk