§ Mr. Masonasked the Postmaster-General what his technical examination of jamming procedures against offshore pirate radio stations revealed; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mr. BevinsJamming would be possible technically, but would raise complicated issues relating to the use of the radio frequency spectrum.
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§ Mr. Masonasked the Postmaster-General what information has been forwarded to him by the Secretary-General of the International Telecommunication Union advising him what action has been taken by members of the union against offshore pirate radio stations.
§ Mr. BevinsThe following is a summary of the information:
Denmark, Sweden, and Finland: Copy of Decree (1961) forbidding ships of all nationalities to receive or carry in Danish waters apparatus intended for broadcasting. Notice (1961) that Denmark's radio stations had ceased to exchange radio correspondence with offending ships.
Norway: Radio stations forbidden (1961) to exchange radio correspondence with offending ships.
France: Copy of Decree (1961) regulating transmissions in French territorial waters. Notice (1962) that radio stations forbidden to exchange correspondence with ships broadcasting at sea.
Brazil: Notice (1961) that action had been taken to prevent broadcasting from ships or aircraft outside the limits of national territories.
Denmark, Finland, Sweden and Norway: Copy of laws (1962) prohibiting broadcasting on the high seas and penalising financial or technical support for such activities, including ordering transmissions via the offending stations or preparing programmes for them, etc.
Belgium: Copy of law (1962) forbidding operation of broadcasting stations on ships or aircraft inside or outside Belgian waters and penalising co-operation in the supply of apparatus or the execution or financing of programmes for such stations.
India: Notice (1963) that the prohibition in the International Radio Regulations of broadcasting from ships had been specially brought to the notice of India ship owners.
Panama: Copy of Decree (1962) forbidding operation of broadcasting stations on ships or aircraft that fly the Panamanian flag and are outside Panamanian waters.
General: Information has also been circulated from Argentine, Australia, Congo, Hungary, Iran, Morocco, New Zealand, Vietnam, Yugoslavia, to the effect that none of these countries would permit broadcasting from their ships.
§ Mr. Masonasked the Postmaster-General if he will seek power to have observations kept by his Department of the broadcasting and advertising by offshore radio stations to ascertain to what extent they are comparable with those governed by the codes of conduct laid down under existing Acts.
§ Mr. BevinsI should not need to seek additional powers.