§ Mr. Barry FieldTo ask the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster how many radio investigation officers there are; how they inspect yacht licences on craft moored offshore; and how many prosecutions there have been in the last five years for infringement of the ship radio (VHF) licence regulations.
§ Mr. ButcherThe radio investigation service currently has 202 staff. When necessary, the radio investigation service inspects radio installations on craft moored offshore using vessels hired for the purpose, or its own inflatable dinghy. The number of people prosecuted over the last five years for offences related to the use of radio in the marine environment is as follows:
Year Prosecuted 1983 0 1984 0 1985 8 1986 5 11987 10 1 To 30 September. All the prosecutions were successful. Information on which of the prosecutions were for infringements of the ship radio (VHF) licence regulations is not readily available.