§ 66. Mr. Teddy Taylorasked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what steps he is taking to prevent the operation of illegal radio stations; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mr. ButcherThe Radio Investigation Service is continuing to trace land-based stations and, where possible, the operators are prosecuted. So far this year transmitters have been traced on over 100 occasions and 37 people have been prosecuted. More prosecutions are pending.
The offshore stations operate from vessels anchored in international waters, and this raises issues of jurisdiction. However, information about contraventions in this country 222W of the Marine, etc., Broadcasting (Offences) Act 1967 is investigated with a view to prosecution, where appropriate, by the Director of Public Prosecutions.