§ 3.6 p.m.
§ The Question was as follows:
§ To ask Her Majesty's Government who have been appointed to, and what are the terms of reference of, the consultative committee established by virtue of Section 9 of the Wireless Telegraphy Act 1949 to consider the draft Performance Specification for CB Radio issued by the Home Office in April 1981.
§ The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State, Home Office (Lord Belstead)My Lords, we intend to introduce regulations under Section 10 of the Wireless Telegraphy Act 1949 to control undue interference from permitted citizens' band equipment to other radio apparatus. Section 9 of the Act provides that the Secretary of State must consult an Advisory Committee on Radio Interference before making such regulations. The precise terms of reference of the committee will be settled after it has been appointed.
Lord Wallace of CoslanyMy Lords, will the Minister say when this matter will be discussed by the House? So far as I am aware, all we have had is a Written Answer in another place. Can he indicate what regulations will be placed before the House for full discussion and decision before the citizens' band is in fact introduced?
§ Lord BelsteadMy Lords, the regulations are under Section 10 of the Wireless Telegraphy Act 1949, to which I referred in my original reply. If the noble Lord was thinking of wider discussion through debate, that would be a matter for the usual channels.
Lord Wallace of CoslanyMy Lords, I am sorry, but what I want to know is whether these regulations by statutory instrument will be placed before both Houses for approval, otherwise the whole thing is being rushed through without the House having a word to say.
§ Lord BelsteadMy Lords, I must admit to the noble Lord that I am not wholly sure of my answer to that question, but I am almost entirely certain—and I will certainly write to the noble Lord if I am wrong—that the regulations are not subject to the affirmative procedure.