§ Mr. PatchettTo ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry how much time the radio investigation service spends monitoring(a) the amateur bands, and (b) amateur radio licence enforcement.
§ Mr. Forth[holding answer 6 July 1990]: The radio investigation service (RIS) works to clearly defined priorities. These are firstly to deal with complaints of interference to radio used by emergency and other safety of life services; secondly with complaints of interference to those who depend on radio for the successful operation of their businesses; and thirdly with other categories of radio use. The amateur radio hobby falls within the third category. Figures of time spent monitoring the amateur bands and on amateur licence enforcement are not separately recorded.
§ Mr. PatchettTo ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry if he has any plans to introduce a novice amateur radio licence.
§ Mr. Forth[holding answer 6 July 1990]: The licensing of amateur radio is the responsibility of the Department of Trade and Industry. I announced on 19 April 1990 that a final draft of the amateur novice licence has been published and that the Radiocommunications Agency of the DTI hoped to be ready to issue the first novice licence in early 1991. A press notice was issued to that effect.
§ Mr. PatchettTo ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry (1) what action radio investigation service officers are taking to stop abuse on GB35L, GB3BM and GB3NA amateur radio repeaters; and if he will make a statement;
221W(2) what representations he has received about the damage being done to amateur radio by continuous abuse of the VHF two-metre repeater network; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mr. Forth[holding answer 6 July 1990]: A number of complaints have been received about abuse on these repeater stations. When the radio investigation service (RIS) of my Department's Radiocommunications Agency is able to prove offences or to establish that improper use of radio facilities has occurred, appropriate action is taken. This may include licence variation or prosecution. In addition to action which the RIS can take it is currently discussing proposals with the Radio Society of Great Britain, the licensee for repeaters, to exercise closer control of repeater stations.
§ Mr. PatchettTo ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry how many radio investigation service officers were in post in 1985, 1986, 1987, 1988, 1989 and 1990 to date.
§ Mr. Forth[holding answer 6 July 1990]: Staff in post figures for radio investigation service district offices are published each year in the annual report of my Department's Radiocommunications Agency. The figures were (at 1 April each year):
In post 1986 188 1987 184 1988 154 1989 140.5 1990 143.5 The figures for 1985 are not available.
§ Mr. PatchettTo ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry if he will close down radio voice repeaters in the United Kingdom until the Radio Society of Great Britain self-policing scheme is in operation.
§ Mr. Forth[holding answer 6 July 1990]: In general, no. The majority of amateur radio repeaters are used by responsible licensees. Closure in specific cases is an option if there is abuse.
§ Mr. PatchettTo ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what assessment he has made of the number of radio investigation service officers required to cope with the workload.
§ Mr. Forth[holding answer 6 July 1990]: The performance of the radio investigation service of my Department's Radiocommunications Agency is kept under review to ensure that the service is correctly resourced. I am satisfied that the number of officers is appropriate to the present workload.
§ Mr. PatchettTo ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry how many amateur radio operators licences have been revoked by him in 1988, 1989 and 1990.
§ Mr. Forth[holding answer 6 July 1990]: The number of amateur radio licences revoked was: in 1988, nil; in 1989, seven; in 1990 to date, two are being considered.
§ Mr. PatchettTo ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry if the Radio Society of Great Britain amateur222W observation service is currently operational; and if he will list any occasions in the last year in which it has not been operational.