Explanatory note

These Regulations amend the Wireless Telegraphy (Licence Charges) Regulations 1991 (S.I. 1991/542), as amended by the Wireless Telegraphy (Licence Charges) (Amendment) Regulations 1992 (S.I. 1992/362) and the Wireless Telegraphy (Licence Charges) (Amendment) Regulations 1994 (S.I. 1994/659) (“the Principal Regulations”), which provide for fees to be paid in relation to wireless telegraphy licences granted under section 1 of the Wireless Telegraphy Act 1949 (c. 54).

The Regulations provide that certain channels designated for emergency use shall not be taken into account when calculating the fees applicable for Maritime Business Radio, Maritime Business Radio (Base Station Only) and Port Operations Radio Licences (regulation 3).

The other main change to the Principal Regulations is that the three types of Ship Radio Licence, namely the Ship Radio Licence which cost £50, the Ship Radio (Transportable) Licence which cost £25 and the Ship Radio (VHF) Licence which cost £22 have been replaced by a single Ship Radio Licence with a two tier fee structure. A Ship Radio Licence will now cost £40 unless the radio equipment is operated on a vessel which is used solely for pleasure in which case the fee will be £22 (regulation 6).