HL Deb 27 March 1980 vol 407 cc951-2

3.10 p.m.

Lord GISBOROUGH

My Lords, I beg leave to ask the Question which stands in my name on the Order Paper.

The Question was as follows:

To ask Her Majesty's Government whether they are considering the introduction of citizen band radio, and which frequencies are under discussion.

Lord BELSTEAD

My Lords, the Government have had this issue under review for some time. We have already concluded that it would be inappropriate to introduce citizens' band radio on 27 MHz, the frequency band commonly used in other countries, but we are still examining the regulatory and administrative difficulties involved in legalising the facility on a higher frequency. We hope to announce a decision before long.

Lord GISBOROUGH

My Lords, I thank the noble Lord for that Answer. Radio-controlled model aeroplane operators will be relieved to hear that because it costs £60 a time if they have to renew their sets. Is he aware that this will put this country on an equal footing with the United States and Japan, who will have to start making new sets on a new frequency—45 perhaps—at the same time?

Lord BELSTEAD

My Lords, I thank my noble friend for his supplementary questions. It is, of course, the fact that there are already authorised users of this band, and particularly among those users are model controllers. So far as the practice in other countries is concerned, we find that the experience of other countries who have citizens' band on 27 MHz confirms the reservations which we have in this country.

Lord MORRIS

My Lords, following the World Administrative Radio Conference in Geneva, would not my noble friend agree that it is of the utmost importance to have the widest possible discussions with the industry and users prior to the issuance of frequency plans, in order to ensure that the most responsible use of the band spectrum results?

Lord BELSTEAD

My Lords, I can assure my noble friend that we are having a national review of frequency allocations following the recent World Administrative Radio Conference.

Lord TORPHICHEN

My Lords, can my noble friend tell me which department, which part of the Home Office or Post Office, is responsible for this review and for allocating whatever frequency is to be allocated?

Lord BELSTEAD

My Lords, it is the radio regulatory department of the Home Office.