§ Mr. Fryasked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry (1) what estimate he has made of the implications for the civil radio market of proposals to raise the licence fees of radios at outstations owned by water authorities; and if he will make a statement;
(2) what consultations have taken place between the radio regulatory division of his Department and water authorities on proposals to raise the licence fees of radios at outstations owned by water authorities; and if he will make a statement;
(3) by how much he proposes to increase licence fees for radios at outstations owned by water authorities; and what percentage this amount represents;
(4) what plans he has to raise the licence fees of radios at outstations owned by water authorities; and if he will make a statement;
(5) what estimate has been made of the increase in costs to water authorities of the proposals to raise the licence fees of radio stations at outstations owned by water authorities; and if he will make a statement;
(6) what estimate he has made of the likely effect on water authorities of proposals to raise the licence fees of radios at outstations owned by water authorities; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mr. ButcherI have no immediate plans to alter Wireless Telegraphy Act fees, but it is now two years since levels were last amended and my officials will shortly be396W putting proposals to me for increases in most licence fees. The possibility of fees rising has been discussed in the Department's consultative forum on radio link matters, which includes representatives of the water authorities and manufacturers.
It is the Government's intention that WT licence fees should both cover the direct licensing and, where appropriate, frequency assignment costs and also make a contribution to the costs incurred by my Department on wide spectrum management, including representation at international radio conferences. Certain licence types meet this requirement; others do not. In the case of scanning telemetry links at water authority outstations, we are aware that the current very low fee falls far short of covering the costs, bearing in mind the engineering effort involved. This has to be rectified. Indeed, it may be appropriate in due course to bring this licence fee more directly in line with the standard fee charged for a radio fixed link. It must be recognised that for water authorities and for many other users the licence fee is only a small fraction of the cost of radio equipment and of little significance when set against the economic benefit to the users of radio. I shall bear in mind all the points raised by my hon. Friend in considering any proposals for increased licence fees.