§ Mr. CorbettTo ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry whether he will(a) review the availability and allocation of the broadcasting spectrum for television and radio in the United Kingdom and (b) detail the European Community and other constraints upon such review.
§ Mr. Forth[holding answer 24 November 1989]: The Government have a series of rolling reviews of the radio spectrum in progress, which will facilitate decisions on allocation of spectrum to broadcasters (and other users) in the corning years. The most recent review was of the civil spectrum between 470 and 3400 MHz, which was carried out in 1988–89 in consultation with all interested parties. Consideration will be given to a similar review of higher frequencies.
An essential part of the spectrum allocation process, if interference with other users is to be avoided, is international co-ordination. The United Kingdom is therefore an active participant in the International Telecommunication Union and the Conference of European Postal and Telecommunications Administrations, which are the key international spectrum co-ordination bodies.