HC Deb 13 June 1968 vol 766 cc412-3
28. Mr. Gresham Cooke

asked the Postmaster-General what plans he has for licensing private enterprise firms who want to operate car radio phone services in Great: Britain.

31. Mr. Worsley

asked the Postmaster-General what plans he has for extending the car radio phone services operated by the Post Office.

Mr. Mason

I already license organisations to communicate with their own vehicles by radio. I also license some telephone answering bureaux to relay messages over their systems. We are extending the capacity of the public radiophone service. Work has recently been completed in South Lancashire; a new system in London will be ready next year.

Mr. Gresham Cooke

The car radio service from the G.P.O. is available only in London and Manchester. Could it not be supplemented by private enterprise firms?

Mr. Mason

No, Sir, because it would not be long before there would be chaos on the air.

Mr. Worsley

Will the right hon. Gentleman say what is the size of the waiting list for this service in London?

Mr. Mason

In London 159 are waiting at the moment, but when the new system is provided next year this should be practically eliminated.