HC Deb 13 November 1980 vol 992 cc599-600
6. Mr. Hal Miller

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many people have been prosecuted for using citizens band radio to date in 1980.

The Minister of State, Home Office (Mr. Timothy Raison)

During the first nine months of this year, 331 persons were prosecuted for unlicensed installation and/or use of 27 MHz citizens band radios. Three hundred and twenty-five were convicted and six acquitted.

Mr. Miller

Does my hon. Friend accept that there is growing concern among the increasing numbers of CB users about the disparity in prosecutions in different parts of the country? In view of the growing number of users, will my hon. Friend reconsider the suggestion that they might still be liable to prosecution when the open channel system is introduced?

Mr. Raison

I cannot pay much regard to people who complain about such a disparity. At present, the use of 27 MHz is illegal. Wherever one is throughout the country, one must not use it.

Dr. Summerskill

Since the Minister of State has announced, according to reports, that an estimated 50,000 people now use illegal imported radio sets on the 27 MHz band, does not his reply that 331 persons were prosecuted suggest that the law is not being enforced adequately? When he comes to his proposals as a result of his Green Paper on citizens band radio, will he bear this unsatisfactory situation in mind?

Mr. Raison

We are aware of some problems in enforcement. The law is absolutely clear. We believe that our proposals will provide a satisfactory alternative. If necessary, we shall take steps to ban the sale and advertising of illegal sets.

Mr. Lyell

Is my hon. Friend aware that those figures show that there is an urgent need to take action? Is he further aware that it is important to find a workable frequency that will have the support of a sufficient number of people in Britain to solve the problem? Will he consider the old black and white television bands more favourably than they have been considered in the past?

Mr. Raison

I am aware of the need for a rapid decision. We are waiting for the end of the consultation period at the close of this month. We shall then announce our conclusions as quickly as possible. It is a complicated matter. On the question of the old black and white television channels, as our consultation document indicated there are real problems there. They will not be available until 1986 and there are a number of other important potential uses for that part of the spectrum.