HL Deb 01 May 1985 vol 463 cc233-4
Lord Aylestone

My Lords, I beg leave to ask the Question standing in my name on the Order Paper.

The Question was as follows:

To ask Her Majesty's Government whether they propose to introduce community radio into the United Kingdom before the Peacock Committee have reported on the future of broadcasting which is to be wholly or partly financed from advertising revenue.

The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State, Home Office (Lord Glenarthur)

My Lords, we are anxious to provide an early opportunity for the development of community radio, perhaps starting with some experimental stations. But a range of matters, including the means by which it might be financed, must be considered in our study of how the development of community radio can best be taken forward. We hope to make a further statement before long.

Lord Aylestone

My Lords, I thank the Minister for that Answer. In view of the terms of reference of the Peacock Committee, is it not a little unwise to commence yet another system of radio financed by advertising revenue before the committee report—especially in view of the fact that yet another local radio station has failed this week?

Lord Glenarthur

My Lords, I do not believe that the existence of the committee to which the noble Lord refers need preclude our setting up, for example, some experimental community radio stations. I can certainly assure the noble Lord that there is no question of the Government setting up a whole network of community stations in the time scale of the Peacock Committee.

Lord Mishcon

My Lords, does the noble Lord remember the Written Answer that was given by his right honourable and learned friend the Secretary of State in another place when he then said that he hoped to be making a further statement before too long and eulogised the idea of community radio as one that would, promote self-help, increase freedom of speech, and be of value to many local communities"?—[Official Report, Commons, 23/1/85; col. 417.] Does the noble Lord the Minister still adhere to that point of view? If the Government are not waiting for Peacock, then what are they waiting for?

Finally, is the Minister saying that even in the experiments advertising may take place before Peacock recommends as to whether advertising is a good influence in affecting the quality of radio?

Lord Glenarthur

My Lords, as I said in my original Answer, my right honourable friend will be making a statement before long. I do not believe that the existence of the Peacock Committee need inhibit us from setting up some experimental community radio stations in the meantime, if we decide that that is a sensible approach. The noble Lord will have to await my right honourable friend's comments.

Lord Mishcon

My Lords, I am sorry to press the Minister, who is always very patient, but he has not answered the question I put to him. Will the experiments which are to take place lead to advertising being permitted even before Peacock recommends as to whether the insertion of advertising revenue and the carrying of advertisements on radio stations' programmes will affect standards?

Lord Glenarthur

My Lords, I take the noble Lord's point. I cannot go any further at this moment other than to say that the experimental services need not necessarily affect the outcome of the further programme—if my right honourable friend goes ahead with it. The noble Lord will have to await the statement.

Baroness Stedman

My Lords, will the noble Lord give the House an assurance that the Peacock Committee will also examine the high cost structure of independent local radio? If more advertising is to be allowed on the wavebands, this will lead to many more failures in independent local radio, unless their cost structure is amended considerably.

Lord Glenarthur

My Lords, that is just the kind of issue which I referred to in my original Answer.

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