§ Mr. Chris Smithasked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry whether he has taken any steps, or proposes to take any, in relation to radio stations operating illegally in British territorial waters in interference with stations operating legally from the Republic of Ireland.
§ Mr. ButcherNo radio broadcasting station operates in British territorial waters. If one did, my Department would take vigorous action against it, particularly if it were interfering with legitimate radio users. Two unauthorised broadcasting stations, Radio Caroline and Radio Laser operate from vessels in the North sea, anchored outside territorial waters and therefore outside United Kingdom jurisdiction. The Marine, Etc. 665W Broadcasting (Offences) Act 1967 makes it an offence for persons in the United Kingdom to supply the stations or otherwise support or promote their activities. Prosecutions under the Act are the responsibility of the Director of Public Prosecutions.
§ Mr. Peter Bruinvelsasked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry if he will make a statement on recent raids on pirate radio stations: and if he will list all those radio stations raided.
§ Mr. Butcher[pursuant to the reply, 6 February 1985, c. 580]: From the beginning of 1985 to 4 February 1985, the radio investigation service took action against unlicensed broadcasters on radio and television on 24 occasions. For comparison, in 1984 the RIS took action against unlicensed broadcasters on 124 occasions.
Unlicensed, unregulated use of radio can cause interference and annoyance to legitimate radio users who have licences and operate in accordance with them. Some unlicensed stations cause interference to emergency and safety of life services. Unlicensed stations also block frequencies which cannot then be allocated to legitimate radio users.
The names and locations of unlicensed broadcasters and the number of occasions on which action has been taken against them so far this year are:
RIS action against unlicensed broadcasters on radio 1 January 1985 to 5 February 1985 Name Location Name of times action taken Shoestring Radio London 1 Skyline Radio London 1 London Weekend Radio London 1 JFM London 1 Radio Gel London 1 Thameside Television London 1 British Greek Community Radio London 1 No Call Sign (105.4 MHz) London 2 No Call Sign (89.9 MHz) London 1 Radio Contact London 1 Metropolitan Radio London 1 No Call Sign (105.5 MHz) London 1 FM 103 London 1 Radio Sovereign Sussex 1 Radio Jackie London 3 Ace Radio London 1 Venus Radio London 1 Asian People's Radio London 1 London Greek Radio London 1 Solar Radio London 1 Turkish Community Radio London 1