§ Mr. Wallasked the Secretary of State for the Home Department whether he has completed his examination of the possibility of introducing citizens band radio in the United Kingdom; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mr. Whitelaw[pursuant to his reply, 7 May 1980, 122–23]. The discussion document on open channel was published yesterday and copies are available in the Vote Office. The general public can obtain copies free of charge by writing to the following address:
- The Officer in Charge,
- Home Office Supply and Transport Store,
- Royston Road,
- Caxton,
- Cambridge
- CB2 8PN
I hope for a wide and speedy response to the document, and I have asked for comments by 30 November of this year. I shall take the public reaction to my proposals into account in reaching final decisions on open channel. As I made clear in reply to a question from my hon. Friend on 7 May, some work remains to be done before open channel could be introduced, but I emphasise that I am seeking no more delay than is necessary to establish a satisfactory service for the enthusiasts while at the same time protecting the interests of other radio users and the general public as a whole