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What do we mean by the Crown?

The Crown includes Parliament, government ministers and its servants. Generally core central government departments fall within the definition of the Crown.

Other government bodies including non-departmental public bodies, office holders, commissioners, and regulators may also be considered as the Crown if the statute bringing them into existence confers upon them Crown status.

However, not all government bodies are considered to be the Crown. Some of the newer government bodies have been formed without being conferred Crown status. Recent examples include the Data Protection Registrar and the Teacher Training Agency. Some bodies defined as the Crown will lose their Crown status when they are privatised.

Unfortunately it is not possible to get a definitive list of what is meant by the Crown.. Where the status of a body is not clear it will be necessary to contact the body concerned to establish its legal status with regard to the WT Act.

Authorisation of radio use by the Crown

Under the WT Act, the use of apparatus for wireless telegraphy is unlawful unless authorised by a licence granted on behalf of Ofcom or is made licence exempt. Whilst this does not apply to the Crown, Ofcom recognises radio use by the Crown, by using a licence with a “side letter”.

What is a Side Letter?

A 'Side Letter' recognises the use of radio by the Crown. Attached to this are the licence terms and conditions and schedule. The Side Letter asks the Crown to abide by the described terms and conditions in the same way a normal licensee would be required to, and reminds them that should they not, the Agreement detailed in the Side Letter will be cancelled.

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