§ Lord Orr-Ewingasked Her Majesty's Government:
Which Secretary of State will have responsibility for the allocation and licensing of the entire civil radio frequency spectrum including all the responsibilities set down in Part VI of the Telecommunications Bill.
§ Lord CockfieldThe allocation of radio frequencies available for civil use is a matter for the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry. Where this involves the interests of other departments, allocation decisions are invariably taken after consultations with the departments concerned.
Responsibility for the grant of licence under the Wireless Telegraphy Act 1949 to permit the use of radio rests with the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry except in the case of licences for broadcast transmission and reception. These are granted by the Secretary of State for the Home Department.
The responsibilities to be conferred on the Secretary of State under Part VI of the Telecommunications Bill will he exercised by the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry.