SPECTRUM PRICING TO THE MARITIME AND AERONAUTICAL SECTORS

That this House notes with concern Ofcom's consultation document Applying spectrum pricing to the Maritime and Aeronautical sectors, which proposes cost increases for the use of VHF radio frequencies; further notes with particular concern section 1.18 of the document which states `we are inviting views on whether charities whose objective is the safety of human life in an emergency should receive a discount'; recognises that the annual charge to the Royal National Lifeboat Institution (RNLI) could increase from £40,000 to £260,000; further notes that the RNLI is a national charity supported and financed by volunteers which provides a vital life-saving service; recognises the proposed cost increases will certainly threaten both local and national sea and mountain search and rescue charities across the country; believes that all charities whose `objective is the safety of human life' should receive a full 100 per cent. discount on using radio frequencies; and calls on Ofcom to withdraw its current proposals and enter into a process to introduce a 100 per cent. discount for those vital life-saving services.