§ Mr. Rathboneasked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what actions he is taking to eliminate extra-territorial pirate radio broadcasting.
§ Mr. ButcherThe unauthorised broadcasting stations currently operating outside United Kingdom territorial waters in the North sea are based on Panamanian register vessels. Their operation contravenes International Radio Regulation 2665 which prohibits the establishment of broadcasting stations outside national territories and Recommendation No. 9 of the World Administrative Radio conference 1979 which calls on Administrations to prevent their operations.
My Department has written to the International Telecommunication Union (ITU) about the stations' unauthorised operations. We and the ITU have been in contact with the Panamanian Administration. Since the stations' offices are reportedly based in the United States of America, my officials have also written to and had discussions with members of the United States Administration, drawing their attention to obligations of ITU members and seeking their assistance to remove the stations. At a recent Commission of the European Post and Telecommunications (CEPT) meeting in Italy, we sought the co-operation of all other European Administrations to
12Wregional preferential assistance given in the answer on 17 January 1984, Official Report, column 160–61, to 1985 and at constant prices.
§ Mr. Norman LamontThe expenditure figures provided in the answer on 17 January 1984 have been extended to 1984–85 and put on to a constant 1984–85 price basis in the table that follows
remove the stations. We shall continue to pursue the matter at the next CEPT meeting to be held in France in June.
The Marine &c. Broadcasting (Offences) Act 1967 makes it an offence for anyone in the United Kingdom to supply or promote the stations and for a British national to engage in the stations' operations. When my Department receives information of possible offences it is immediately passed to the Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions, who usually asks for a police investigation before deciding whether to institute proceedings under the Act.
These unauthorised stations interfere with the radio communications of the North sea oil and gas industry and jam frequencies which should be allocated to legitimate radio stations. I am determined, within the resources availavble and the constraints of our jurisdiction, to take all possible action to prevent their continued operation.