Pirate Radio Stations

HC Deb 07 December 1966 vol 737 c1327

15. Mr. Ridsdale

asked the Postmaster-General how many people have either written to or petitioned him on behalf of the pirate radio stations.

Mr. Edward Short

Over the past few months, I have received about 3,000 letters and 15,000 names on petition forms.

Mr. Ridsdale

As a lot of these come from outlying areas, what does the Postmaster-General propose to do to help these listeners when the pirate radio stations close down?

Mr. Short

The hon. Gentleman must await the White Paper. To deal with the contents of the hon. Member's Question, he will be interested to know that one of my hon. Friends recently analysed the names on a petition. The Chartists' Petition paled into insignificance against the fraudulent nature of this petition.

Mr. O'Malley

Is the Postmaster-General aware that I have had complaints from traders in my constituency, being pestered by representatives of Radio Scarborough, seeking advertising revenue? How much longer are these disreputable people to be allowed to carry on with this?

Mr. Short

Radio Scarborough is the one about which I read a letter about the Scarborough lifeboat in the House last time I answered a Question on this matter. It is also the one which the hon. Gentleman the Member for Howden (Mr. Bryan) visited, with such a fanfare of trumpets recently.