§ 15. Mr. Gorstasked the Minister of Posts and Telecommuncations if he will announce where the next commercial local radio stations to be set up after those in London, Birmingham, Manchester and Glasgow will be located.
§ Sir J. EdenNo yet, but I can assure my hon. Friend that there will be no undue delay in doing so.
§ Mr. GorstIs my right hon. Friend aware that failure to announce where the next stations will be is discouraging many people from entering the list to compete for these franchises, which by all accounts are likely to be extremely unprofitable as matters stand? Will he give early and urgent consideration to announcing what the frequencies not only of the later stations but of the earlier ones will be, so that they may be subjected to the most careful public scrutiny?
§ Sir J. EdenOf course, I recognise my hon. Friend's interest in these matters, but I think it is premature to talk at this stage about discouragement. I think we must move nearer to the day when the IBA becomes established.