HC Deb 28 February 2002 vol 380 cc1479-80W
Mr. Pickles

To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry (1) how many prosecutions there were of unlicensed radio stations in each of the last available five years; [37250]

(2) how many prosecutions of unlicensed radio stations in the Greater London area there were in each of the last available five years;. [37252]

(3) how many complaints the relevant department received in each of the last five years about the broadcast of unlicensed radio stations; [37251]

(4) if she will list the average fine imposed on unlicensed radio stations for unauthorised broadcasting in each of the last five years. [37249]

Mr. Alexander

The number of convictions secured by the Radiocommunications Agency against pesons for unlicensed broadcasting in the last five years is as follows:

Year Number
1997 41
1998 53
1999 47
2000 41
2001 20

Unlicensed radio stations go to great lengths to avoid detection of studio sites but the Agency also puts consideration effort into the removal of transmitters (1,438 raids in 2001).