§ Mr. Tom Coxasked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry if he will list the actions taken in the last 12 months against the illegal Radio Caroline station; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mr. ButcherBetween 8 August and 13 December 1985 my Department chartered a vessel to keep observation on the ships from which the unlicensed marine broadcasting stations Radio Laser and Radio Caroline operated. The radio investigation service officers on board reported to the police any vessels seen supplying the ships for further investigation. Prosecutions under the Marine, etc. Broadcasting (Offences) Act 1967 are brought by the Director of Public Prosecutions, to whom my Department continues to report evidence of possible offences under the Act. I understand that as a result two people have been prosecuted and convicted and a number of prosecutions are pending.
My Department has also pursued with other European countries efforts to fulfil our international obligation to 310W prevent broadcasting from ships outside national territories. The Government remain seriously concerned about unlicensed marine broadcasters who use radio frequencies allocated for other, legitimate purposes, and whose powerful transmissions can and do cause interference to other radio users.