HC Deb 01 May 1985 vol 78 cc167-8W
Mr. Cartwright

asked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry when he now expects to reply to the letter of 14 January from the hon. Member for Woolwich about television interference in Maryon Road, London SE7, caused by citizens band radio.

Mr. Butcher

Immediately.

Mr. Cartwright

asked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry how many complaints about citizens band radio in the London area are currently being investigated by his Department's radio investigation service.

Mr. Butcher

Complaints about television and radio reception rarely specify the source of the problem. Since the source of the problem is often identified only after investigation by the radio investigation service it is not possible to say how many complaints currently in hand relate to citizens band radio.

Mr. Cartwright

asked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry how many operational staff are employed by his Department's radio investigation service in the London area; and how many prosecutions have been undertaken for illegal operation of citizens band radio over the past five years.

Mr. Butcher

The London RIS has 23 officers including three clerical staff. Between 1980–84, 6,292 people were prosecuted for illicit use of CB. Of these, 6,216 were convicted of offences under the Wireless Telegraphy Acts 1949 and 1967.