HC Deb 04 April 1985 vol 76 c746W
Mr. Hardy

asked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what is the reason for the refusal to allow class B radio amateurs to use all radio frequencies over 30 MHz.

Mr. Butcher

The class B amateur radio licence permits only the use of those frequencies about 144 MHz which are allocated to the amateur service in the United Kingdom. The only frequency between 30 and 144 MHz currently in the amateur licence schedule for use in the United Kingdom is 70 MHz, and this is not an exclusive allocation, has no international standing, and its use by amateurs is at the discretion of the primary user of the band (another Government Department), who has directed that it should be restricted to Class A licensees.

Mr. Hardy

asked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what is the cost of administration of the amateur radio licence service and supervision.

Mr. Butcher

The estimated cost for 1984–85 is £0.57 million which includes a contribution to the costs incurred by my Department on national and international planning and other activities relating to radio regulation: such a contribution is required of all licensed services.

Mr. Hardy

asked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry to whom the licence fee paid by radio amateurs goes: and upon what purposes the money is spent.

Mr. Butcher

The radio amateur licence fee is collected on behalf of my Department by the Post Office. It serves to reimburse the costs incurred in administering the licensing of radio amateurs, and to make a contribution to the national and international planning and other costs relating to radio regulation.

Mr. Hardy

asked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what is his estimate of the cost involved in the issue of a gazetted notice concerning radio amateurs.

Mr. Butcher

The cost of gazetting such notices is largely dependent on the length of the notice and, as these vary greatly, it would be misleading to give the general estimate the hon. Member requires. However, to give an idea of the range of costs, during the last two years for notices concerning radio amateurs published in the three Gazettes costs varied from about £160 to £1,500. Staff time in the preparation of these notices has not been included.