HC Deb 26 October 1966 vol 734 cc1011-2
25. Mr. Buchanan-Smith

asked the Postmaster-General what representations he has had from Radio Scotland; and if he will make a statement.

Mr. Short

A company describing themselves as the selling agents for Radio Scotland have recently written to me seeking authority for Radio Scotland to establish a commercial sound broadcasting station, or a chain of stations, on land. The company have been advised to await a statement of Government policy on sound broadcasting.

Mr. Buchanan-Smith

As this station, which has a very wide listening public in Scotland, has shown its preparedness to co-operate in any scheme of Government licensing and any payment of fees, will the right hon. Gentleman bear in mind that stations like Radio Scotland are prepared to operate legally if given a chance?

Mr. Short

I imagine, as Sir A. P. Herbert pointed out in The Times yesterday, that every burglar, too, would like legalising.

Mr. William Hamilton

Am I correct in assuming that Radio Scotland is operating within territorial waters? If that is the case and it is infringing the law, why has no prosecution taken place?

Mr. Short

This is rather a difficult one.

Sir G. Nabarro

Cannot the right hon. Gentleman catch it?

Mr. Short

It is a hulk. There are no engines in it, but I understand that it is towed about from one place to another, sometimes in territorial waters and sometimes not. Whether there should be a prosecution is a matter not for me, but for the Procurator-Fiscal.

Mr. Noble

Will the right hon. Gentleman bear in mind when dealing with this obviously difficult problem that, quite apart from whether Radio Scotland has a higher quality of music than the B.B.C., there are many people in my constituency and, I am sure, in many others whose only listening is to Radio Scotland or Radio Caroline, because B.B.C. programmes are not audible in their areas? This is an important consideration and I hope that the hon. Gentleman will keep it in mind.

Mr. Short

I think that a lot of people listen to this station—taking its own figure, about one-third of the population—but the rest of us are about two-thirds.