To ask the Minister of State, Department for Business, Innovation and Skills what estimate he has made of the proportion of radio microphones and other programme-making and special events technologies which will need to be replaced with new equipment as a consequence of the clearance of the digital dividend spectrum; and if he will make a statement. (317612)

We have not estimated the proportion of microphones (both channel 69 and interleaved spectrum) or other PMSE equipment which will be affected by the clearance.

However, Ofcom have estimated that 95 per cent. of all radio microphones tune to channel 69 and will therefore be affected by the clearance.

To ask the Minister of State, Department for Business, Innovation and Skills when he plans to announce his decision on the (a) criteria for compensation eligibility and (b) allocation of funding to be provided to those in the programme-making and special events sector who are affected by the clearance of the digital dividend spectrum. (317613)

Ofcom are re-evaluating their initial assumptions and eligibility criteria in light of responses to their second consultation on this issue. When this work is completed, Government will agree with Ofcom an appropriate funding allocation.

To ask the Minister of State, Department for Business, Innovation and Skills whether he has made a recent estimate of the number of jobs which depend (a) directly and (b) indirectly on the use of radio microphones and other programme-making and special events technologies. (317614)

No such estimates have been made. However, the Department is aware of the contribution that the programme-making and special events (PMSE) industry makes to the UK economy, and is carefully considering how they will be relocated from channel 69 to channel 38.