Telecommunications Industry (Shares)

Mr. Phillip Oppenheim
asked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry if he will introduce legislation to prevent the sale of further shares of telecommunications operators in the United Kingdom to organisations or individuals based or resident in Japan.

Mr. Butcher
No. Such legislation would be contrary to this Government's belief in more open conditions of international trade and payments.

Mr. Phillip Oppenheim
asked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry if he will make a statement on the negotiations between Her Majesty's Government and the Japanese Government regarding arrangements for access by United Kingdom organisations and individuals to the sale of shares in the Nippon Telegraph and Telephone Public Corporation in reciprocation of the access allowed to non United Kingdom organisations and individuals to the sale of shares in British Telecom.

Mr. Butcher
There have been no such negotiations.