§ 7. Mr. Hal Millerasked the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he is yet in a position to announce what provision he intends to make for existing users of citizens band radio when issuing regulations to govern its use.
§ Mr. RaisonOur discussion document on our proposals for Open Channel should be published very soon. As we have made clear, we do not regard the 27 MHz frequency band as suitable for use for this purpose in this country. Its use is illegal, and will remain so even when Open Channel is introduced.
§ Mr. MillerI welcome the speedy action that my hon. Friend has taken in issuing the document, but may I point out that large numbers use 27 MH3 for this purpose and ask whether his proposals contain provision for any transitional arrangements to be made once he has decided which waveband would be suitable?
§ Mr. RaisonI suppose that when my hon. Friend talks of transitional provisions he means some sort of amnesty. Operating an amnesty in the sense of collecting and disposing of 27 MH3 sets could be a burdensome demand on resources and it would not be necessary. Installation or use of the equipment is an offence, but, unless the equipment has been imported illegally, possession of it is not an offence. I stress again that this is an area where the law must be upheld and we intend to do that.