§ Mr. ChopeTo ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry for what reason Hope FM has been required to reduce its broadcasting power to 15 watts; and if he will make a statement. [142162]
§ Ms HewittThe decision to grant a temporary Restricted Service broadcasting licence to Hope FM and the conditions attached to it (such as the transmitter power) was made, independently of the Government, by the Radio Authority using their powers under the Broadcasting Acts.
The scope for licensing Restricted Services, within the arrangements for licensing long-term Independent Radio licences, is very limited and the Radio Authority has to balance the heavy demand for such licences with a finite 135W supply of spectrum. Similarly, in considering the terms attached to such licences (for example, the power, the population coverage and duration), the Authority seeks to ensure, as far as possible, that all Restricted Service licensees are treated equally and fairly, and that no interference is caused to other broadcasters by such services. This allows the limited amount of spectrum to be used and re-used by as many different operators as possible in an area and over a period of time.