asked the Minister for Communications the number of applications which he has received for licences to operate the proposed MMDS system; if granted, if they will be sufficient to ensure that the entire country will then be covered by either cable or microwave systems for television signal distribution; and if he will make a statement on the matter.

My Department have received a total of 42 applications for MMDS licences. On the basis of the preliminary examination of these applications I can say at this stage that I am confident that the proposals received will constitute the basis for a country-wide transmission system.

I am glad to hear that the applications to date will ultimately result in nationwide coverage. That was one of the main points the Minister underlined when he introduced this system — to extend multi-channel viewing to the rest of the country. I hope the applications materialise into a country-wide network. When does the Minister expect that licences will be issued and the MMDA system brought into operation so that viewers in areas that do not have multi-channel will be able to receive it?

As soon as possible. The position is that I have to make an order and that order is being drafted at present by the Attorney General. The 42 applications that have been received are being considered in relation to their technical aspects, their interface capacity and compatibility generally. It is a very detailed process because we want to make sure that the successful applicants have the full technical capacity that they claim in their applications. I am very pleased with the level and quality of the applications which have been received so far.