HC Deb 23 January 1986 vol 90 c277W
Mr. Warren

asked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry when he anticipates making the award of licences in band 3 for radio paging; and if he will make a statement.

Mr. Butcher

The Director General of Telecommunications expects to be in a position to provide advice on the award of licences for national and London private mobile radio networks in band 3 soon. Subject to this, I should be in a position to announce the names of the successful applicants for national London and regional band 3 networks by the end of February. The actual issue of licences will depend on further discussions with the successful applicants to define certain system details and the licence conditions to be applied.

I expect the decisions on the issue of further licences for wide area paging frequencies, which are not in band 3, to follow a similar timetable.