§ 5. Mr. Haymanasked the Postmaster-General when he expects to reach a decision on the question of the licence fee for ambulance radio services.
Dr. HillLicence fees for mobile radio services are based on the costs of Post Office administration. The fees are higher for ambulances than for police and fire radio services, as the costs of the latter are largely borne by the Home Office. I regret, therefore, that I cannot remove this apparent anomaly by reducing the licence fees for ambulances to the level of the other two services. I am writing to the hon. Member.
§ Mr. HaymanWill the right hon. Gentleman bear in mind that it seems very odd to the layman that the police and fire services, which protect property, can get a licence for £2 a vehicle, while the ambulance service, which exists to save life, has to pay a fee of £3?
Dr. HillI am aware of the anomaly, and I agree with the hon. Member that it may well look odd. From the Post Office point of view, we should, I think, as a general principle relate the charges to the costs incurred by us, and the hon. Member will realise that the costs in respect of the latter group are very much more than in respect of the former group.
§ Mr. HobsonWhen the right hon. Gentleman is considering what fee shall be charged to these services, will he bear in mind that many of them have had to change their frequencies at their own expense as a result of the coming of I.T.A.?