asked the Minister of Posts and Telecommunications what his estimate is of the number of radio stations currently transmitting illegally in the United Kingdom.

It is not possible to form an estimate. In the past 12 months, 116 people were successfully prosecuted for taking part in illegal transmissions; 78 were pirate broadcasters.

Does the Minister recollect, only a fortnight ago, hearing the tones of Radio Jackie in Committee on the Sound Broadcasting Bill, when I played him a selection of the music being transmitted twice weekly within three miles of the Palace of Westminster? Does he further recollect the list of stations and transmission times in publications that I read out in that Committee? In view of all that, can he honestly say that his Department is doing enough to stop these pirate radio broadcasts?

I am aware that the hon. Gentleman has given some valuable publicity to this organisation. However, I can assure him that, as the figures for prosecutions show, my Department is fulfilling its duties in this respect and seeking to prosecute wherever it can.

Is the position getting worse or better?

It is difficult to say. [Laughter.] By the nature of these operations it is extremely difficult to form an estimate of the number that there may be. I certainly would not want to mislead the House by saying that there had been an improvement without the figures to back it up.