§ Sir Patrick Wallasked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what is the latest position on the introduction of citizens band radio to the frequencies recommended by the conference of european posts and telecommunications unions.
§ Mr. Butcher[pursuant to the reply, 3 May 1985, c. 276]: On several occasions the Government have stated that their longer term objective for CB is to adopt the CEPT recommendation which provides for common European frequencies for FM CB. I am happy to re-affirm that commitment now.
In moving towards the adoption of the CEPT frequencies at the lower part of the 27 MHz band, there is a need to relocate the existing users of the band. The Department has been consulting all interested parties about the appropriate transitional arrangements. We must give adequate time for existing users to modify or change equipment and in view of this 1987 is our earliest realistic 320W target date for the start-up of the new CB service. Further consultations will need to take place with existing users before this can be confirmed. After the introduction of the new CEPT CB service the existing UK 27 MHz CB service will run in parallel with it for some time and no decision has yet been taken to phase out the present service.