§ Phil SawfordTo ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry how many telecommunications masts in the United Kingdom there are; and what measures are taken by the Telecommunications Agency to ensure that these are mapped and recorded. [73368]
§ Stephen TimmsThere are approximately 26,000 transmitter sites in the UK. The "Sitefinder" Mobile Phone Base Station Database at www.sitefinder.radio.gov.uk is a national database of mobile phone base stations and their emissions. The database is managed by the Radiocommunications Agency, an Executive Agency of the Department of Trade and Industry, on behalf of Government. The database provides information on all operational, externally sited, cellular radio transmitters in England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland.
The database is updated every three months from information provided by the cellular operators. It should be noted that only operational transmitters, i.e. those that are actually transmitting, are included on the database. Consequently, sites that are currently going through the planning process, are in the process of being built, or are yet to be switched on, will not be found on the database.
166W
§ Phil SawfordTo ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry if she will establish a nationwide audit of telecommunications masts. [73371]
§ Stephen TimmsLast year the Rdiocommunications Agency completed an audit across the UK of 100 masts on school grounds. This year they are carrying out a further audit of masts near to schools and hospitals. Details of the audit and results for last year and those completed so far this year are available on the Agency's website at www.sitefinder.radio.gov.uk. The audit results indicate in every case levels of radiation far below those specified in the guidelines of the International Commission on Non-Ionizing Radiation Protection