PALANTYPE AND SPEECH TO TEXT REPORTING

Early day motion 1630, tabled 9 September 2004 by Tom Levitt (Labour). Signed by 32 members.

That this House recognises the valuable work of speech to text reporters in providing communication support and access to information for hearing-impaired people in public meetings and elsewhere, the development of Palantype technology which has allowed this to blossom and the role of the company Possum as the sole manufacturer of Palantype keyboards and spare parts in Britain; regrets profoundly the decision of Possum to discontinue the manufacture of maintenance of Palantype machines and the effect this could have on communication support for hearing-impaired people and the careers of speech to text reporters; and urges the company to suspend its decision for reconsideration and to allow time for alternative arrangements for the manufacture and maintenance of these machines to be made.

Signatures by party: Labour 18, Liberal Democrat 6, Labour/Co-operative 4, Conservative 2, DUP 1, Plaid Cymru 1.