HC Deb 12 May 1964 vol 695 cc36-9W
33. Mr. Mason

asked the Postmaster-General what legislative steps he intends to take to end illegal broadcasts by pirate radio stations operating around the coastline.

Mr. Bevins

I cannot yet add to the reply given to the hon. Member by my hon. Friend on 5th May.

Mr. Mason

asked the Postmaster-General to what extent the British Broadcasting Corporation sound broadcasts have been subject to interference during the test transmission period of Radio Caroline and since its subsequent established broadcasting hours.

Mr. Bevins

I understand that except for some slight interference when Radio Caroline began broadcasting, transmissions from this station have not caused interference to reception of B.B.C. services.

Mr. Mason

asked the Postmaster-General to what extent during the test transmissions of Radio Atlanta British Broadcasting Corporation sound broadcasts have been subject to interference; and to what extent interference with British Broadcasting Corporation broadcasting is developing during joint transmissions of Radio Caroline and Radio Atlanta.

Mr. Bevins

I am not at present in a position to give any information about the activities of Radio Atlanta or their effects, if any, on other radio services.

Mr. Mason

asked the Postmaster-General to what extent he has received a favourable response to his request to advertisers not to patronise pirate radio stations; and if he will give the names of the companies who assured him of their support.

Mr. Bevins

I would refer the hon. Member to my reply on 14th April to the hon. Member for Brixton (Mr. Lipton). I have not sought assurances from individual companies.

Mr. Mason

asked the Postmaster-General under which national flags Radio Caroline and Radio Atlanta are operating; and what communications he has had with the governments of the nations concerned.

Mr. Bevins

"Caroline" was registered in Panama. The Panamanian Government cancelled the registration when they were informed that the ship had been used for broadcasting. I understand that the other ship is registered in Panama also: if so, and if she similarly contravenes international and Panamanian law, I have no doubt that her registration also will be cancelled.

Mr. Mason

asked the Postmaster-General if he will make a statement regarding his discussions with spokesmen of the Council of Europe in connection with legislation to ban transmissions of sound radio programmes from ships operating outside European nations' three-mile limits.

Mr. Bevins

The Council of Europe's Legal Committee on Broadcasting and Television is meeting in Strasbourg this week. The text of the Council's draft Agreement for the prevention of broadcasts from unauthorised stations outside national territories is being further considered at this meeting.

Mr. Mason

asked the Postmaster-General if he will consider the preparation of legislation to ban the development of television transmissions from ships at sea which are operating to compete and interfere with the British Broadcasting Corporation and the Independent Television Authority.

Mr. Bevins

In this context broadcasting would include both sound and television.

Mr. Mason

asked the Postmaster-General which countries of the International Telecommunication Union have proffered advice and assistance to him during his consideration of legislation concerning radio stations based at sea.

Mr. Bevins

As a member country of the International Telecommunication Union, the United Kingdom has received information circulated by the Secretary-General of the Union about the action taken by members to prevent unauthorised broadcasts from ships at sea. We have also been in close touch on this subject for the last two years with the other member countries of the Council of Europe.

Mr. Mason

asked the Postmaster-General what representations he has received from artistes, performers, manufacturers of records and the unions concerned about the development of the radio stations operating at sea; whether they have sought advice and assistance from his department; and if he will make a statement.

Mr. Bevins

The phonographic industry has been in close touch with my Department on this subject, and I have also had representations from the Songwriters Guild of Great Britain. They are anxious that the development of pirate broadcasting stations should be stopped as soon as possible.

Mr. Mason

asked the Postmaster-General if he will list the occasions when transmissions from pirate radio ships have interfered with signals sent from coastguards and shore-based stations to ships at sea; what representations he has received regarding this type of interference; and if he will make a statement.

Mr. Bevins

Transmissions from Radio Caroline caused interference to British and Belgian maritime services during the first few days that she was broadcasting. Interference to maritime services since then has been negligible. Serious interference to maritime radio services could recur at any time if the powerful transmitting equipment on the ship is not properly maintained.

Mr. Mason

asked the Postmaster-General, in view of the violation of the International Frequency Registration Board's regulations by the radio ships "Caroline" and "Atlanta", what steps are being taken by the Board against this illegal intrusion; whether the frequencies on which these radio ship stations are operating are interfering with other European countries' legal transmissions; and what representations he has received from the countries involved.

Mr. Bevins

The Regulations are those of the International Telecommunication Union. The member States of the Union are responsible for ensuring that the provisions of the International Radio Regulations are enforced. I have received complaints from the Belgian Government that Radio Caroline is causing interference to the reception in Belgium of the authorised broadcasting service from Brussels on 1984½ metres.

Mr. Mason

asked the Postmaster-General what consideration he has given to the introduction of legislation to make illegal radio broadcasting outside territorial waters by way of an amendment to the Continental Shelf Act, 1964, to stop pirate ship radio stations securing anchorage.

Mr. Bevins

I considered this possibility before the Continental Shelf Bill was introduced, but concluded that the matters are not sufficiently analogous to justify attempting to combine legislation about them in one Act. I am still of that opinion.