Mr. C. I. Orr-Ewingasked the Postmaster-General (1) what is the Government's policy with regard to the continued use and expansion of mobile radio services, since, in other parts of the world, these are being developed at great speed and rendering valuable service to the community;
(2) what are the various categories of user and the number of licences and equipment in each category of the mobile radio services;
(3) on what basis applications for licences for the operation of mobile radio services are judged; and how far the importance of the service is taken into consideration when deciding whether exclusive or widely-shared frequency channels are allocated;
(4) how many licences have been issued for the use in the United Kingdom of mobile radio services.
§ Mr. Ness EdwardsI assume that the' information is required mainly in respect of land and marine mobile radio services operated on very high frequencies by public utilities and other organisations. The general importance of these services is recognised and it is the policy of my Department to be as helpful as possible with regard to applications for frequencies and licences. The general conditions under which such applications are granted are explained in Post Office memoranda B.R.1 and B.R.3, which for a number of years past have been supplied to applicants. I will arrange to have copies of these memoranda and of the standard form of application placed in the Library. The relative importance of the various categories of service is taken into account when assigning frequencies.
The frequencies used for the aeronautical mobile service, and for public maritime mobile services operating in the high and medium frequency bands, are assigned as a result of international agreement. Licences to participate in these services are issued on request to owners of ships and aircraft registered in the United Kingdom, on condition that they comply with international and national requirements.
183WLicences currently in force for the main categories of user are as follow:
Licences Fixed Stations Mobile Stations Land mobile services Police and fire services 182 428 2,403 Ambulance services 19 20 266 Railways 8 7 41 Public utility services 53 61 221 Contractors, works, etc 12 x 62 Taxis, hire cars, delivery vans, etc. 243 222 1,054 Maritime mobile services Harbour and tug services, etc. 65 74 258 Other maritime services 5,824 10 5,814 Aeronautical mobile services 889 56 833 7,295 886 10,952