§ 13. Mr. Donald Stewartasked the Minister of Posts and Telecommunications if he will now take steps to set up a local radio station in the Western Isles with a remit to give predominance to programmes in Gaelic.
§ Mr. ChatawayIt will be primarily for the Independent Broadcasting Authority to say where stations for the 1433 new independent service shall be sited. The authority will also be responsible for questions of programme content including whether some of the programmes should be in Gaelic.
§ Mr. Donald StewartThere are at the present time 20 local radio stations in England and not a single one in Scotland, and since the Scottish B.B.C. has drastically cut the amount of time given to Gaelic programmes, would the Minister not reconsider his decision and take some action in the interests of amenity and fair play?
§ Mr. ChatawayThe B.B.C. has taken the view in Scotland that a national version of Radio 4 should be maintained, and on B.B.C. radio, I understand, there are three hours of broadcasting in Gaelic a week.