Commercial Radio

HC Deb 05 November 1973 vol 863 cc600-1

17. Mr. Whitehead

asked the Minister of Posts and Telecommunications what is the present estimate of his Department of the timetable for the completion of the initial network of 60 commercial radio stations.

Sir J. Eden

I have nothing to add to the answer I gave the hon. Member on 16th July.—[Vol. 860, c. 2.]

Mr. Whitehead

Is it not a fact that the delays in the IBA plans effectively mean that the authority can see little further ahead than a featherbedded regional network of 18 regular stations? Is he not aware, for example, that London Broadcasting can now be heard well to the north of Luton? Is he not, therefore, prepared to say now to the House that we are not going to have local commercial radio and that we have regional commercial radio? This is the abandonment of one more Conservative election pledge.

Sir J. Eden

No, Sir. I do not agree with the hon. Gentleman. The authority is setting up smaller stations as well as those for the larger centres of population. It is well understood that the larger ones would be the first to be launched, but the authority has already announced stations to be set up at Swansea, Ipswich and Reading.

Mr. Fowler

Does my right hon. Friend agree that the experience with the first two stations in London which have gone on the air is very encouraging? In particular, the provision by the London Broadcasting Company of an all-news station is a service that many people want.

Sir J. Eden

There seems to be widespread interest in the programmes emanating from both these stations.

Mr. Eadie

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that when he reports on matters such as this in relation to other radio stations, commercial or otherwise, this is what irritates my constituents, because the right hon. Gentleman is surely aware that in my constituency in Penicuik, in Stow and Heriot, and in the new town of Livingston, my constituents cannot get proper receiving facilities at present.

Sir J. Eden

That is why on the television front all efforts are being maintained to complete the UHF programme.

Mr. Heffer

What discussions has the right hon. Gentleman had with the authority regarding the nature of local radio broadcasting? Has he discussed the question of the stations being local and not being taken over by large commercial companies which would be more interested in moving in from London than provincial authorities, which being local, would be more geared to the wishes of local people?

Sir J. Eden

I think that that is well understood. It certainly will be more clearly seen when programme applicants are selected for some of the other stations. The process of selection is a matter wholly within the responsibility of the authority.