Mr. Millsasked the Secretary of State for the Home Department (1) if he is satisfied with the operation of his Department's functions concerning the licensing of mobile radio equipment retail dealers;
329W(2) if he is satisfied that the radio case radiation test required by his regulations is essential for mobile radio operators and dealers; and if he will make a statement;
(3) if he is satisfied with the present system of approval of each individual item of mobile radio equipment; and if he will consider a simpler system of overall licensing of radio designs;
(4) what reason legitimate mobile radio dealers and operators are subject to more stringent control than those proposed for citizens band radio dealers and operators.
§ Mr. RaisonSuppliers of land mobile radio equipment are not licensed. Under section 1 of the Wireless Telegraphy Act 1949, users are licensed to operate only equipment which meets the relevant Home Office specifications, and licences are granted only if the proposed equipment has been type approved by this Department. Under the type approval system, manufacturers, suppliers or modifiers of equipment submit one item from a particular model range for testing. This system of indirect control over equipment standards is kept constantly under review and does not impose unreasonable constraints on suppliers.
Case radiation limits have been set to bring specifications into line with internationally agreed standards and with standards applied to other types of electrical equipment such as household electrical appliances: their purpose is to protect other radio services from interference. The case limits we are proposing for citizens band radio equipment are much more stringent.