EU: Electronic Communications Framework

Baroness Brinton Excerpts

Wednesday 11th May 2011 Lords Chamber

[Baroness Rawlings]

I am afraid that I will have to write to the noble Lord; I do not have the details in my brief.

[Baroness Brinton]

My Lords, does the Minister share my concern that the 50,000 UK BSL users cannot use the telephone in the same way as ordinary hearing people can do? They cannot contact their doctor, MP, bank or even just order a takeaway. What plans do the Government have to introduce VRS to the UK in the same way as it has been introduced in the US over the past nine years, to address the shocking disadvantage faced by this group of disabled people?

[Baroness Rawlings]

My Lords, I am aware of the use of VRS in the United States but, as I said earlier, the matter comes under the Ofcom legislation. However, the Minister, Ed Vaizey, is doing all that he can to support this.