§ Mr. Austin Mitchellasked the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many people were prosecuted in 1977 and 1978 for offences connected with offshore pirate radio stations under the Marine Offences Act; and what sentences were imposed.
§ Dr. SummerskillDuring 1977, five people were prosecuted for offences under the Marine etc., Broadcasting (Offences) Act 1967. Three were convicted and fined sums ranging from £125 to £200. The case in which the other two are involved is not yet concluded. There were no prosecutions for offences under this Act in 1978.
§ Mr. Austin Mitchellasked the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many prosecutions, successful or unsuccessful, were instituted in 1977 and 1978 for illegal radio transmissions; how many of these illegal transmissions occurred in each waveband; and how many prosecutions resulted in fines or imprisonment.
§ Dr. SummerskillDuring 1977 and 1978, 112 persons were dealt with by the courts after being charged with offences under the Wireless Telegraphy Act 1949 371W in respect of unlicensed radio transmissions. A total of 108 persons were convicted, of whom 96 were fined and three received suspended sentences of imprisonment. The illicit transmissions occurred in the following wavebands:
Broadcasting bands 36 Amateur radio bands 32 Private mobile radio band 22 Marine radio band 9 Model control/radio paging band 7 Other 2 TOTAL 108
§ Mr. Austin Mitchellasked the Secretary of State for the Home Department what monitoring arrangements are in force to detect pirate radio stations either onshore or offshore; and if he will make a statement.
§ Dr. SummerskillMonitoring and detection of illicit radio stations onshore is carried out by the Post Office radio interference service, acting as agents of the Home Office. Arrangements for monitoring the transmissions of offshore illicit radio stations are made by the Home Office itself, but no such transmissions have been detected for some months.
§ Mr. Austin Mitchellasked the Secretary of State for the Home Department whether he proposes to take any action in respect of pirate radio stations operating on any or all of the following frequencies: 217m/1386 khz—Radio Army 10.00 hours to 16.00 hours—221m/1369 khz—North London radio 11.00 hours to 18.00 hours—222m/1350 khz—Weekend Music radio—227m/1332 khz—Radio Jackie 09.00 hours to 17.00 hours—230m/1311 khz—Radio Celebration 11.00 hours to 15.00 hours—235m/1278 khz—Edge City 12.00 hours to 15.00 hours, and 238m/1251 khz—Radio City 12.00 hours to 16.00 hours; and if he will make a statement.
§ Dr. SummerskillThe activities of these and similar pirate radio stations constitute offences under the Wireless Telegraphy Act 1949, and are investigated by the Post Office radio interference service, acting as agents of the Home Office. Prosecution proceedings have been taken against the operators of two of the stations mentioned.