HL Deb 08 January 2003 vol 642 c214WA
Lord Hodgson of Astley Abbotts

asked Her Majesty's Government:

Whether under paragraph 4(m) of the Wireless Telegraphy (Public Fixed Wireless Licences) Regulations 2002 it is not possible for the Secretary of State to refuse to renew a licence. [HL876]

Lord Sainsbury of Turville

If the notice yet to be issued by my right honourable friend the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry under Regulation 4 of the Wireless Telegraphy (Public Fixed Wireless Licences) Regulations 2002 were to contain the provision set out in paragraph (2) (m) of that regulation, under which each sucessful participant in the spectrum auction provided for in the regulations would have the option to renew their licences for two successive five-year periods, my right honourable friend the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry could not refuse to renew the licence if the option were exercised.