§ Mr. Teddy TaylorTo ask the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster why Mr. Arthur Bird of 3 Ashanti close, Shoeburyness, has been advised that the allocation of a radio frequency cannot be given for his taxi firm for 10 weeks; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mr. Butcher[holding answer 17 May 1988]: The assignment of frequencies for private mobile radio users is a complex process. At present, over 1,000 cases a month are being received and there is a backlog of work. Steps are being taken to deal with this backlog, and new applications are now generally taking less than six weeks. I will write to the hon. Member about the options available to those who have an urgent need for mobile communications.