§ Mr. HaywardTo ask the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster what consideration his Department has given 1.o the effects on the growth of the mobile communications industry of any change in current Government policy regarding bands I and III of the VHF spectrum; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mr. ButcherThe needs of the mobile communications industry, both current and future, helped to determine the Government's current policy in respect of bands I and III. If there is any change in that policy those needs will help to frame the nature of the change. At present, study of the technical scope for sharing use of these bands between mobile radio and broadcasting is continuing as part of the Government's wider review of the technical options for additional broadcasting services.