§ Mr. Thorpeasked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs what representations he has made to the Panamanian Government in connection with the registration of the ship "Atlanta", broadcasting in breach of the International Telecommunications Convention, of which Panama is a signatory; and whether he will make a statement.
§ Mr. MathewI do not know of any ship called "Atlanta" which is engaging in broadcasting activities. The so-called Radio Atlanta recently broadcast from the Panamanian-registered ship "Mi Amigo". I assume that it is to this ship that the hon. Member refers.
It is usual for alleged breaches of the International Telecommunications Convention or of the Regulations made thereunder to be taken up, in the first instance, by one telecommunications authority direct with the competent authority in the other country. In the case of the "Mi Amigo", the General Post Office reported to the competent Panamanian authority on 13th May and 289W again on 3rd July that the "Mi Amigo" had been broadcasting since 9th May from a position just outside United Kingdom territorial waters, in contravention of the International Radio Regulations.
No reply has yet been received from the Panamanian authorities.
§ Mr. Thorpeasked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs on what date he made representations to the Panamanian Government in connection with the registration of the ship "Caroline", broadcasting in breach of the International Telecommunications Convention, of which Panama is a signatory; and what has been the result.
§ Mr. MathewOn 31st March, the General Post Office notified the Director-General of Telecommunications and Radio in Panama that a ship called "Caroline", using a Panamanian call-sign, had been broadcasting daily since 28th March from 4/30/2005just outside United Kingdom territorial waters, in contravention of the International Radio Regulations.
On 3rd April, the competent Panamanian authorities cancelled the Panamanian registration of the "Caroline".