§ Mr. TimmsTo ask the President of the Board of Trade what progress his Department has made in increasing co-operation with Europe over the management and distribution of the radio spectrum. [40316]
§ Mr. Ian TaylorMy Department continues to participate actively in all areas of European radio spectrum management in order to provide the maximum opportunities and benefits for UK manufacturers, operators and users through, in particular, the harmonisation of European radio usage. My officials have led in many European developments including the formation of the European Radiocommunications Committee of CEPT, the Conference of European Posts and Telecommunications administrations, and in the current discussions on the future management of the radio spectrum arising from our White Paper, Cm 3252, published last June.
948WAdditionally, on 27 September, the EU Telecommunications Council reached political agreement on a proposed decision to facilitate the introduction of satellite personal communications services. The appropriate framework is to be developed by CEPT.