§ Mr. Thorpeasked the Postmaster-General whether he will make a statement as to his practice in preventing transmissions interfering with frequencies used for safety purposes by ships and aircraft.
§ Mr. BevinsSafeguards for the protection of the frequencies used for safety purposes by ships and aircraft are laid down in the international Radio Regulations. These safeguards include the assignment of frequencies for other services in accordance with internationally agreed plans which are expressly designed to avoid interference; provision for immediate cessation of any transmission interfering with distress or safety calls; and the fullest degree of prompt international co-operation in the suppression of interference.
I am responsible in the United Kingdom for the observance of the Regulations and I enforce these safeguards through the licences which I issue to users of wireless telegraphy under the Wireless Telegraphy Act, 1949. Stringent requirements are imposed in the licences to ensure that transmitters keep to their authorised frequencies. Where licences are not required, as in the case of Crown use, action to safeguard the frequencies used for safety purposes is taken in conjunction with the Departments concerned.