Local Radio Stations (Hansard, 29 February 1968)

§ 33. Mr. Bryan
asked the Postmaster-General whether he will make a further statement on the financing of local radio stations.

§ Mr. Edward Short
I have nothing to add to my Answers of 20th December to the hon. Member for Hamilton (Mrs. Ewing) and of 25th January to the hon. Member for Woking (Mr. Onslow) and the hon. Member for Southgate (Mr. Berry).—[Vol. 756, c. 458-9; Vol. 757, c. 556–81

§ Mr. Bryan
Does the right hon. Gentleman recall that on 8th November last he made a statement, which was officially confirmed by a Press hand-out, saying that it would be unfair to pay for local radio out of the proceeds or income of the receiving licence? As obviously substantial sums are being paid by the B.B.C.—in other words, out of licence fees—would the right hon. Gentleman please correct his statement'? Will he—

§ Mr. Dunn
On a point of order. Are you aware, Mr. Speaker, that the hon. Gentleman's lengthy supplementary is more in the nature of a statement than a question?

§ Mr. Speaker
I was aware of that. Mr. Short.

§ Mr. Short
The hon. Member for Howden (Mr. Bryan) is continuing his campaign against one of the most imaginative broadcasting experiments this country has seen since broadcasting started. When the experiment has been running for a year we will be able to evaluate it, and I will then report to the House. If the hon. Gentleman has seen, for example, the Press hand-out relating to the Merseyside broadcasting station he will have noted that a great deal of money is coming in from other organisations and that it may well be that there is none at all from the B.B.C.