§ Mr. Nigel EvansTo ask the President of the Board of Trade how many telecommunications companies are licensed in the United Kingdom; and how many of them are based(a) in the United States or (b) other foreign countries.
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§ Mr. LeighAround 900 licences have been issued under the Telecommunications Act since it was passed in 1984, although not all remain in force. Companies may also operate under a number of "class" licences: these are generally applicable and are not issued in respect of individual companies. Information relating to the location and corporate nationality of licensed companies is thus not readily available and could not be obtained except at disproportionate cost. A list of licences is held at the library of the Office of Telecommunications.