§ Mr. Masonasked the Postmaster-General if he will list all the steps he has taken to the most recent date to discourage the permanent establishment of pirate offshore radio stations.
§ Mr. MawbyMy right hon. Friend has taken such steps as are available to210W him in the present state of the law. These include:
- (i) bringing to the notice of potential advertisers the objections to pirate radio, and
- (ii) withholding radio telephone services between the offending ships and the shore.
In addition the Post Office has, as the House is aware, assisted in drafting a Council of Europe Agreement about the elimination of radio piracy which could serve as the basis of further legislation.
§ Mr. Masonasked the Postmaster-General what new attempts to establish pirate radio stations there have been since the establishment of Radio Caroline and Radio Atlanta; and what action he has taken to dissuade them.
§ Mr. MawbyA pirate station has been broadcasting from a disused fort in the Thames estuary since 28th May; and there have been reports of attempts to establish stations off the Lancashire coast, off the Yorkshire coast, and on another fort in the Thames estuary. In a statement to this House on 2nd June my right hon. Friend made clear the objections to this kind of piracy and outlined the Government's policy.
§ Mr. Masonasked the Postmaster-General whether it is now his intention to allow the military forts in the Thames to continue to be used for the establishment of illegal radio transmitters.