HL Deb 03 June 1985 vol 464 cc599-600WA
Baroness Stedman

asked Her Majesty's Government:

How many cases of alleged breaches of the Marine, etc., Broadcasting (Offences) Act have been drawn to the attention of the Department of Trade and Industry by the legal radio stations in the United Kingdom.

The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State, Department of Trade and Industry (Lord Lucas of Chilworth)

My department has had a considerable correspondence from authorised broadcasting stations about possible offences under the Marine, etc., Broadcasting (Offences) Act 1967. It is also in regular contact with the Independent Broadcasting Authority and the Association of Independent Radio Contractors on the subject. All the information we receive is passed immediately to the Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions, who usually asks for a police investigation before deciding whether to institute proceedings under the Act.

Baroness Stedman

asked Her Majesty's Government:

Whether any companies wholly or partly engaged in pirate radio broadcasting have been registered for statutory purposes through the Department of Trade and Industry or any of its agencies.

Lord Lucas of Chilworth

I am aware of two registered companies which have been engaged in unlicensed broadcasting in the United Kingdom.