HC Deb 06 July 1970 vol 803 cc311-2
20. Mr. Milne

asked the Minister of Posts and Telecommunications if he will make a statement on the proposals for the setting up of Radio Newcastle.

25. Mr. McNamara

asked the Minister of Posts and Telecommunications whether he will make a statement on the future of the British Broadcasting Corporation's Radio Humberside.

The Minister of Posts and Telecommunications (Mr. Christopher Chataway)

I am considering the future of the B.B.C.'s plans for local radio, and I will make a statement as soon as I have come to a decision.

Mr. Milne

In congratulating the right hon. Gentleman on his appointment, may I ask him to make sure that one of his first acts is to see that there is no surrender to vested interests in this matter? Will he ensure that the plans, which are already well advanced, for the setting up of Radio Newcastle are not disturbed and that we get this radio station at the earliest possible moment?

Mr. Chataway

There will be no surrender to vested interests, whether public or private. [Interruption.] I appreciate that there is urgency, too, in the review of the B.B.C.'s local radio stations, and I have embarked on discussions with Lord Hill.

Mr. McNamara

May we be informed when we shall receive a definite statement on the future of Radio Humberside? Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that plans for this station are well advanced in my constituency—that the buildings are there and the machinery is going in—and that there will be great disappointment if this station is not established soon, particularly as we were expecting it to be active by the end of the year?

Mr. Chataway

It is important that we examine the B.B.C.'s priorities. A statement will be made when that has been done.

Mr. Stonehouse

I, too, congratulate the right hon. Gentleman on his appointment and on the fact that the Ministry is surviving. Is he aware that it will be severely regretted if one of his first acts is to cut back on the B.B.C.'s development of genuine local community radio, which has already been a substantial success? In talking about considering the future of B.B.C. radio, will he confirm the future of the stations which have already been announced and say whether these active plans are in process of being implemented?

Mr. Chataway

I will bear in mind the points which the right hon. Gentleman makes.