§ Mr. HardyTo ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry how many representations he has received in support of and against the recommendations of the Dylis Gane report of 1984 on the self-policing of amateur radio bands; and if he will list the relevant organisations that are opposed to these recommendations.
§ Mr. ForthThe Gane report of 1984 was an internal Department of Trade and Industry efficiency scrutiny document dealing with the work of the radio investigation service. The report contained proposals for reordering the priorities of the radio investigation service. The thrust of the section dealing with radio amateurs was that amateurs should take on greater responsibility for resolving interference problems. That policy has been implemented and the Department has received representations both for and against this policy from organisations and individuals: it would not be practicable to list them.
§ Mr. HardyTo ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry if the amateur radio observation network operated by the Radio Society of Great Britain is currently operational; and if he will list any occasions on which it has not been operational.
§ Mr. HardyTo ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what proportion of the amateur broadcasting licence fee is allocated to the radio investigation service; and what is the annual cost of that service.
§ Mr. ForthThe radio investigation service budget for 1988–89 was £6,284,000. Over 60 per cent. of the radio amateur licence fee represents the direct costs of licensing and enforcement. In addition all licensees benefit from the work of the radio investigation service in seeking to prevent interference and abuse of radio across the spectrum.
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§ Mr. HardyTo ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what steps the radio investigation service is taking to prevent abuse on amateur radio repeaters.
§ Mr. ForthThe radio investigation service is currently holding discussions with the Radio Society of Great Britain (RSGB), which is the licensee for amateur repeater stations, about the minority of radio amateurs who act irresponsibly when using this service.
§ Mr. HardyTo ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry whether he is giving any consideration to the shutting down of the amateur radio repeater network until the problem of abuse has been resolved.