HL Deb 14 April 1970 vol 309 cc318-9

2.39 p.m.

LORD SORENSEN

My Lords, I beg leave to ask the Question which stands in my name; on the Order Paper.

[The Question was as follows:

To ask Her Majesty's Government what action is to be taken in respect of broadcasting from ships sailing on the edge or beyond territorial limits; and whether international consultation and action are being considered to ideal with the evasion of existing law.]

BARONESS LLEWELYN-DAVIES OF HASTOE

My Lords, Her Majesty's Government are applying the Marine Etc. Broadcasting (Offences) Act 1967. We have already taken certain counter-measures to protect marine communications; we shall continue to take all steps open to us, nationally and internationally, to combat the nuisance to legitimate broadcasting services and to shipping services.

LORD SORENSEN

My Lords, while thanking my noble friend for that Answer, may I ask whether she can say precisely what active steps are being taken; and secondly, whether the existing Marine Etc. Broadcasting (Offences) Act is quite incapable of covering these particular pirates?

BARONESS LLEWELYN-DAVIES OF HASTOE

My Lords, in answer to the last part of that question, I do not think the Act is incapable of covering these pirate acts. Your Lordships will appreciate that this is a complicated matter, but I am confident that the measures we are taking will produce results. We produced results before; there are good international Conventions which cover the situation and I have confidence in them.

LORD SORENSEN

My Lords, while apologising to my noble friend, may I again ask what specific attempts are being made in this respect?

BARONESS LLEWELYN-DAVIES OF HASTOE

My Lords, I am quite sure the House would not wish me in advance to advise the pirates concerned of the steps we are contemplating. We are doing what we should foe doing under the international Convention.

LORD STRABOLGI

My Lords, may I ask my noble friend whether this particular Act covers pirates operating from aircraft?

BARONESS LLEWELYN-DAVIES OF HASTOE

Yes, my Lords, it does.

LORD LEATHERLAND

My Lords, can my noble friend assure us that this pirate ship is outside the range of the artillery weapons that practise at Foulness and Shoeburyness?