§ Mr. Barronasked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry why he has decided not to introduce a novice amateur radio licence at present.
§ Mr. FletcherWe require radio amateurs to achieve a minimum standard of proficiency and there is a risk that introducing a lower standard for novices would cause interference to other services. Moreover, it would involve additional administrative burdens which we would not be in a position to undertake before the amateur licensing process had been fully computerised.