HC Deb 28 April 2003 vol 404 cc185-6W
Mr. Robathan

To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what representations she has received on the Radiocommunications Agency's proposal to realign the 450–470 MHz spectrum band; and how many were opposed to the proposal. [109782]

Mr. Timms

RA received 17 e-mailed substantive responses, four written substantive responses and 22 telephone responses. These last were asked to respond in writing, but only one did so. In addition, there were 10 e-mail licensing queries and over 200 telephone licensing queries as a result of a follow-up letter sent to RA customers inviting them to respond to the consultation document.

None of the written or e-mailed responses were in outright opposition to the RA proposals, however most of the responses identified areas of concern that the respondees would wish RA to take into account in the implementation of the project. two of the telephone respondees were opposed to the proposals but these declined to provide written comments.

Mr. Robathan

To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what assessment of costs to British industry she has made of the Radiocommunications Agency's proposal to realign the 450–470 MHz spectrum band; and what cost-benefit analysis she has made. [109783]

Mr. Timms

Some preliminary costing information was included in the consultation document. More detail, including a cost-benefit analysis, will be included in the submission I will receive in early May.

Mr. Robathan

To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what assessment she has made of the Radiocommunications Agency's proposal to realign the 450–470MHz spectrum band; and if she will make a statement. [109784]

Mr. Timms

Responses to the consultation document are currently being analysed. A summary of the responses will be published on the RA website in May and a submission will be made to me in the same timeframe for a decision on the way forward. It is therefore too early to make a statement at this stage.