§ Sir John WheelerTo ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry how many raids have been carried out in 1990 by radio investigation service enforcement teams in the Greater London area; with what result; and how many prosecutions have been successful.
§ Mr. ForthThe radio investigation service of my Department's radiocommunications agency has so far this year carried out a total of 169 raids on unlicensed broadcasting stations operating in the Greater London area. On each occasion equipment used in the commission of the offence was seized and on 14 occasions persons believed to be connected with the unlicensed station were interviewed with a view to prosecution.
Between I January and 30 April 1990, 33 persons were successfully prosecuted for their involvement with such 460W stations in the Greater London area. The average fine imposed was £287 and average costs of £209 were ordered to be paid. However, one person was sentenced to seven days' imprisonment. Invariably the courts ordered that the equipment used in the offence be forfeited.
§ Sir John WheelerTo ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry how many officials are employed in radio investigation service enforcement teams in the Greater London area; what is the extent of their workload; and what proposals he has to increase the numbers of such personnel.
§ Mr. ForthThe radio investigation service of my Department's radiocommunications agency currently employs 25 officers on enforcement work in the Greater London area. Their remit involves regulating all categories of radio use and responding to complaints of interference from authorised users. The performance of the radio investigation service is kept under review to ensure that the service is correctly resourced.