Electronic Communications

House of Lords written question – answered at on 20 June 2011.

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Photo of Baroness Goudie Baroness Goudie Labour

To ask Her Majesty's Government what assessment they have made of the reduction in the number of deaf people claiming video relay services (VRS) through the Access to Work scheme if universal VRS were available.

Photo of Lord Freud Lord Freud The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Work and Pensions

No assessment has been made by Government about the reduction in the number of deaf people claiming video relay services (VRS) through the Access to Work scheme if universal VRS were available.

However, following consultation on proposals, the Government recently completed the implementation of the revised EU Electronic Communications Framework, which includes measures targeted at providing access and choice for deaf and disabled people (one of the few member states to do so on time). New provisions in the framework require member states to empower relevant national authorities-Office of Communications (Ofcom) in the UK-to specify, where appropriate, obligations on publicly available electronic communication service providers to deliver the access and choice.

In addition, Ofcom is currently undertaking a review of relay service provision for hearing and speech-impaired users of electronic communications. This review will look at, amongst other things, whether the existing text relay service and additional relay services (including video relay and captioned telephony) are adequate. It will also include a cost-benefit analysis of the potential different options. The Government believe this is an appropriate and sensible way forward.

Ofcom intends to publish a consultation document as part of this review process. A research report that will inform the review was published on 4 February 2011 and can be read at http://stakeholders.ofcom.org. uk/market-data-research/telecoms-research/ofcom-relay-services/.

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