British Telecommunications Act 1981
Act of the Parliament of the United Kingdom
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
The British Telecommunications Act 1981 (c. 38) is an act of the Parliament of the United Kingdom that transferred the state-owned telephone network from the Post Office to a new statutory corporation, British Telecommunications, branded as "British Telecom".[1][2][3]
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| Act of Parliament | |
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| Long title | An Act to establish a public corporation to be called British Telecommunications; to make provision with respect to its functions and to transfer to it certain property, rights and liabilities of the Post Office; to make further provision with respect to the Post Office; to provide for dealings by the Treasury in the shares of Cable and Wireless Limited; to amend the Telegraph Acts; and for connected purposes. |
|---|---|
| Citation | 1981 c. 38 |
| Introduced by | Keith Joseph |
| Territorial extent | [b] |
| Dates | |
| Royal assent | 27 July 1981 |
| Commencement |
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| Repealed |
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| Other legislation | |
| Amends | |
| Repeals/revokes | See § Repealed enactments |
| Amended by |
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| Relates to | |
Status: Amended | |
| Text of statute as originally enacted | |
| Revised text of statute as amended | |
| Text of the British Telecommunications Act 1981 as in force today (including any amendments) within the United Kingdom, from legislation.gov.uk. | |
Provisions
Repealed enactments
Section 89(1) of the act repealed 25 enactments, listed in parts I and II of schedule 6 to the act.[4] The enactments in part I were repealed on the passing of the act; those in part II were repealed on the appointed day.
Part I: Enactments Repealed on the Passing of this Act
| Citation | Short title | Extent of repeal |
|---|---|---|
| 31 & 32 Vict. c. 110 | Telegraph Act 1868 | Section 11.
In the Schedule, paragraphs 7 to 9, 12 and 13. |
| 41 & 42 Vict. c. 76 | Telegraph Act 1878 | In section 2, in the definition of " telegraphic line ", the words from " and also " to " communication ".
Section 14. |
| 55 & 56 Vict. c. 59 | Telegraph Act 1892 | Section 8. |
| 1 & 2 Geo. 5. c. 26 | Telephone Transfer Act 1911 | The whole act. |
| 1 & 2 Geo. 5. c. 39 | Telegraph (Construction) Act 1911 | Section 6(2). |
| 1 & 2 Eliz. 2. c. 36 | Post Office Act 1953 | Sections 3 and 4. |
| 2 & 3 Eliz. 2. c. iv | Dover Harbour Consolidation Act 1954 | Section 120. |
| 9 & 10 Eliz. 2. c. 15 | Post Office Act 1961 | The whole act. |
| 1968 c. 13 | National Loans Act 1968 | In Schedule 5, the entry relating to the Post Office Act 1961. |
| 1969 c. 48 | Post Office Act 1969 | Section 1.
In section 2(6), the words from " but anything " onwards. In section 6, in subsection (1), the words from " so, however " onwards, in subsection (2), paragraph (a) and, in paragraph (b), the words " after the expiration of that period ", and subsection (2A). Section 12(10). Section 14(18). Section 17. Section 19. Sections 31 and 32. Section 34. Section 50. Section 68. Section 74(1). Section 81(3). Sections 82 and 83. Section 85. In section 86(1), in the definition of " local authority ", the words " county borough ". Sections 106 and 107. Section 127. In section 129(1), the words " or any order made under section 17 of this Act " and " or any copy of any such order ". Sections 130 and 131. In Schedule 1, paragraphs 2(2), 4(2) and 11(2), (3) and (5). In Schedule 4, in paragraph 2(1), in the Table, the entry relating to section 3 of the 1953 Act and paragraphs 81, 87, 93(1)(i), (ii) and (viii), 94 and 98. Schedule 7. In Schedule 9, paragraphs 3(1), (3), (4) and (6), 4, 5, 8, 15, 16, 18, 19, 22 to 26, 31, 32, 36 to 47 and 50. |
| 1977 c. 44 | Post Office Act 1977 | The whole act. |
| Northern Ireland Legislation | ||
| 1970 c. 1 (N.I.) | Harbours Act (Northern Ireland) 1970 | In section 26(4), the words " as from the appointed day within the meaning of the Post Office Act 1969 ". |
| SI 1974/2143 (N.I. 6) | Juries (Northern Ireland) Order 1974 | In Schedule 2, the words " Officers of the Post Office ". |
Part II: Enactments Repealed on the Appointed Day
| Citation | Short title | Extent of repeal |
|---|---|---|
| 26 & 27 Vict. c. 112 | Telegraph Act 1863 | In section 24, the words from " and send " onwards.
Section 34. |
| 1 & 2 Eliz. 2. c. 36 | Post Office Act 1953 | In section 60(1), the words " or telephone kiosk or cabinet " (twice) and the words " kiosk or cabinet ".
In section 61(1), the words " telegraph post " and the word " post ", in the last place where it occurs. In section 64(1), the words " or ' postal telegraph office ' or ' public telephone call office ' " and the words " or a place where the public may make telephone calls ". Section 65A. In section 87(1), the definition of " telegraph post ". |
| 1967 c. 62 | Post Office (Data Processing Service) Act 1967 | The whole act. |
| 1968 c. 60 | Theft Act 1968 | In Schedule 2, in Part I, paragraph 8. |
| 1969 c. 48 | Post Office Act 1969 | Section 9.
Section 11(7). Section 13. Sections 23 to 27. In section 29, in subsection (1), paragraphs (b) and (d) and, in subsection (2), the words " or telephone exchange attendant ". Sections 35 and 36. Section 42. Section 54. Section 65. Section 69(1) and (2). In section 72(1), the words " or telegraphic ". Section 78. Section 86(3). In section 87(1), paragraphs (a)(ii), (b)(ii) and (c)(ii). Section 88(6). In Schedule 4, paragraph 2(16), in paragraph 21(1), the words " telegraph, telephone, wireless or signal station or " and paragraphs 78(1), 79, 86(1) and 93(1)(xxix). |
| 1972 c. 79 | Post Office (Borrowing Powers) Act 1972 | The whole act. |
| 1973 c. 36 | Northern Ireland Constitution Act 1973 | In Schedule 3, in paragraph 13, the words " telecommunications and ". |
| 1974 c. 7 | Local Government Act 1974 | In Schedule 3, paragraph 5(a). |
| 1974 c. 8 | Statutory Corporations (Financial Provisions) Act 1974 | In Schedule 2, paragraph 4. |
| 1975 c. 55 | Statutory Corporations (Financial Provisions) Act 1975 | In Schedule 2, the entry relating to the Post Office.
In Schedule 4, paragraph 5. |
| 1976 c. 10 | Post Office (Banking Services) Act 1976 | Section 2.
In section 3(2), the words from " and shall " onwards. |
| Northern Ireland Legislation | ||
| SI 1973/2095 | Local Government Reorganisation (Consequential Provisions) (Northern Ireland) Order 1973 | In Schedule 1, paragraph 7. |
Section 89 and schedule 6 extended to the Isle of Man so far as regards any enactment mentioned in that schedule that so extended, other than the Telegraph Act 1863 (26 & 27 Vict. c. 112), and extended to the Channel Islands so far as regards any enactment so mentioned that so extended.[4]
Subsequent developments
The whole act was repealed for the Isle of Man by section 1(1) of, and group 11 of part 17 of schedule 1 to, the Statute Law (Repeals) Act 2004, which came into force on 22 July 2004.[5]
