§ 87. Mr. Robert Mathewasked the Postmaster-General if he will take steps to authorise the use of local radio communications between beach lifeguards and 186W rescue services by introducing a citizens' radio wave band and by licensing the radio equipment which is specifically designed for this purpose.
§ Mr. BennI believe the hon. Member has in mind the use of imported walkie-talkie sets. These operate on or about a frequency band (27 Mc/s) allocated to other uses to which they would cause and from which they would suffer interference. I am advised that they could sometimes be blotted out altogether. Also, their technical quality is such that they cause interference to television reception. Though I will not now, therefore, adopt the hon. Member's proposal I am prepared to meet his purpose by authorising the use of approved equipment operating in the appropriate frequency bands, as I have already for the purposes of mountain rescue.