§ 9. Mr. Whiteheadasked the Minister of Posts and Telecommunications what his estimate is of the number of radio stations currently transmitting illegally in the United Kingdom.
§ Mr. ChatawayIt is not possible to form an estimate. In the past 12 months, 116 people were successfully prosecuted 1482 for taking part in illegal transmissions; 78 were pirate broadcasters.
§ Mr. WhiteheadDoes the Minister recollect, only a fortnight ago, hearing the tones of Radio Jackie in Committee on the Sound Broadcasting Bill, when I played him a selection of the music being transmitted twice weekly within three miles of the Palace of Westminster? Does he further recollect the list of stations and transmission times in publications that I read out in that Committee? In view of all that, can he honestly say that his Department is doing enough to stop these pirate radio broadcasts?
§ Mr. ChatawayI am aware that the hon. Gentleman has given some valuable publicity to this organisation. However, I can assure him that, as the figures for prosecutions show, my Department is fulfilling its duties in this respect and seeking to prosecute wherever it can.
§ Mr. RichardIs the position getting worse or better?
§ Mr. ChatawayIt is difficult to say. [Laughter.] By the nature of these operations it is extremely difficult to form an estimate of the number that there may be. I certainly would not want to mislead the House by saying that there had been an improvement without the figures to back it up.