§ Mr. EvennettTo ask the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster what additional steps his Department is taking to detect and prosecute illegal radio broadcasters in Greater London.
§ Mr. AtkinsI refer my hon. Friend to the reply given to him on 1 February 1988, at column 455, by my hon. Friend the Member for Coventry, South-West (Mr. Butcher). We are also seeking to strengthen the terms of the law concerning the unlicensed use of radio as soon as possible. I would also refer my hon. Friend to the Home Secretary's reply of 2 November to a question from my hon. Friend the Member for Derby, North (Mr. Knight). Illegal broadcasters convicted after 1 January 1989 would be statutorily debarred from involvement with stations licensed by the proposed Radio Authority for a five-year period.
§ Mr. EvennettTo ask the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster what is his Department's estimate of the number of illegal radio broadcasting organisations in Greater London.
§ Mr. AtkinsThe total number of unlicensed broadcasts varies considerably over time and my Department does not undertake systematic and regular monitoring. But so far this year my Department's radio investigation service has carried out 303 raids on 58 unlicensed stations broadcasting in the Greater London area.