§ 5. Mr. Juddasked the Minister of Posts and Telecommunications whether he will make a statement on the number of local newspapers with a local monopoly in their circulation area which are now known to be involved in syndicates seeking control of local radio.
§ Sir J. EdenApplications for local radio contracts are made to the Independent Broadcasting Authority and not to me.
§ Mr. JuddWould the Minister be prepared to look at a specific instance in the Portsmouth area, where the Portsmouth and Sunderland Newspaper Group has a monopoly in local newspapers? The group is now known to be interested in getting a partial grip on Radio Portsmouth. Can this be in the interests of free communication, let alone competition in local radio, particularly when one takes account of the fact that this newspaper group, although having a very high standard of objective reporting, has an honest and straightforward political bias in its editorial policy?
§ Sir J. EdenNo, Sir. Safeguards about newspaper participation are provided in the Act. I think that we must leave it to the IBA as to how this should he interpreted.