Mr Andrew Robathan (Blaby, Conservative)

I shall be brief. The clause is similar to the previous one, in that it deals with a review. We discussed apparatus and fixed telephone lines in your absence this morning, Mr. Atkinson, and in the Minister's absence. We mentioned the extraordinary fact that 3 million people still rent telephones, largely from BT. I wonder whether the apparatus market and the review that pertains to it come from the European directives. If so, from what part of them? As far as I can see, the EU directives do not mention apparatus.

Mr Stephen Timms (Minister of State (e-Commerce & Competitiveness), Department of Trade and Industry; East Ham, Labour)

We did discuss this earlier. The provisions do not come from the directives. Individual member states can therefore make their own arrangements. We have used the Bill to carry over the arrangements already in the BT and Kingston Communications licences, but that is not required of us by the directives in any way. The hon. Gentleman is right to suggest that the directives are silent on the subject.

I would like to pick up the point raised by the hon. Member for South Cambridgeshire on pre-existing conditions, and refer him to the transitional provisions in paragraph 6 of schedule 18. He may find what he was looking for there. If he does not, I have no doubt that he will let me know shortly.

Question put and agreed to.

Clause 81 ordered to stand part of the Bill.

Clause 82 ordered to stand part of the Bill.