Wireless Telegraphy Act 1949 (repealed)

11 Enforcement of regulations as to use of apparatus. U.K.

(1) If the [F1 Secretary of State] is of opinion—

(a) that any apparatus does not comply with the requirements applicable to it under regulations made for the purpose specified in paragraph (a) of subsection (1) of the last preceding section; and

(b) that either—

(i) the use of the apparatus is likely to cause undue interference with any wireless telegraphy used for the purposes of any safety of life service or for any purpose on which the safety of any person or of any vessel, aircraft or vehicle may depend; or

(ii) the use of the apparatus is likely to cause undue interference with any other wireless telegraphy and in fact has caused or is causing such interference in a case where he considers that all reasonable steps to minimize interference have been taken in relation to the station or apparatus receiving the telegraphy,

he may serve on the person in whose possession the apparatus is a notice in writing requiring that, after a date fixed by the notice, not being less than twenty-eight days from the date of the service thereof, the apparatus shall not be used, whether by the person to whom the notice is given or otherwise, or, if the [F1 Secretary of State] thinks fit so to frame the notice, shall only be used in such manner, at such times and in such circumstances as may be specified in the notice:

Provided that—

(i)

F2 ...

(ii)

if the [F1 Secretary of State] is satisfied that the use of the apparatus in question is likely to cause undue interference with any wireless telegraphy used for the purposes of any safety of life service or for any purpose on which the safety of any person or of any vessel, aircraft or vehicle may depend, the date to be fixed by the notice may be the date of the service thereof F3 ... .

(2) A notice under subsection (1) of this section may be revoked or varied by a subsequent notice in writing by the [F1 Secretary of State] served on the person in whose possession the apparatus then is:

Provided that where a notice under this subsection has the effect of imposing any additional restrictions on the use of the apparatus, the provisions of subsection (1) of this section relating to the coming into force of notices shall apply in relation to the notice as if it had been a notice served under the said subsection (1).

[F4 (2A) Where an appeal with respect to a notice under this section is pending—

(a) proceedings for an offence of contravening that notice (whether instituted before or after the bringing of the appeal) shall be stayed until the appeal has been finally determined; and

(b) any such proceedings shall be discharged if the notice is set aside in consequence of the appeal;

but this subsection does not affect proceedings in which a person has been convicted at a time when there was no pending appeal.

(2B) For the purposes of this section an appeal under section 192 of the Communications Act 2003 with respect to a notice under this section or a further appeal relating to the decision on such an appeal is pending unless—

(a) that appeal has been brought to a conclusion or withdrawn and there is no further appeal pending in relation to the decision on the appeal; or

(b) no further appeal against a decision made on the appeal or on any such further appeal may be brought without the permission of the court and—

(i) in a case where there is no fixed period within which that permission can be sought, that permission has been refused or has not been sought; or

(ii) in a case where there is a fixed period within which that permission can be sought, that permission has been refused or that period has expired without permission having been sought.

(2C) No proceedings for an offence of contravening a notice under this section may be commenced in Scotland—

(a) until the time during which an appeal against such a notice may be brought has expired; or

(b) where such an appeal has been brought, until that appeal has been determined.

(2D) Such proceedings in Scotland must be commenced within six months of—

(a) where no appeal has been brought, the time referred to in paragraph (a) of subsection (2C); and

(b) where an appeal has been brought and determined, the date of that determination.]

(7) Any person who, knowing that a notice of the [F1 Secretary of State] under this section is in force with respect to any apparatus, uses that apparatus, or causes or permits it to be used, in contravention of the notice shall be guilty of an offence under this Act.

Textual Amendments

F1 Words substituted by virtue of Post Office Act 1969 (c. 48, SIF 96), s. 3(1) and S.I. 1974/691, arts. 2, 3(3)

F2 Words in s. 11(1) repealed (with effect in accordance with s. 178(1) of the amending Act) by Communications Act 2003 (c. 21), ss. 178(1)(a), 411(2), Schs. 19(1) (with Sch. 18); S.I. 2003/1900, arts. 1(2), 2(1), Sch. 1 (with art. 3) (as amended by S.I. 2003/3142, art. 1(3))

F3 Words in s. 11(1)(ii) repealed (25.7.2003 for specified purposes, 29.12.2003 in so far as not already in force) by Communications Act 2003 (c. 21), s. 411(2), Sch. 19(1) Note 1 (with Sch. 18); S.I. 2003/1900, arts. 1(2), 2(1), Sch. 1 (with art. 3) (as amended by S.I. 2003/3142, art. 1(3)); S.I. 2003/3142, art. 3(2) (with art. 11)

F4 S. 11(2A)-(2D) substituted for (with effect in accordance with s. 178(1) of the amending Act) by Communications Act 2003 (c. 21), ss. 178(1)(b), 411(2) (with Sch. 18); S.I. 2003/1900, arts. 1(2), 2(1), Sch. 1 (with art. 3) (as amended by S.I. 2003/3142, art. 1(3)); S.I. 2003/3142, art. 3(2) (with art. 11)