§ Mr. Beggsasked the Secretary of State for the Home Department (1) what representations were received from Northern Ireland regarding the granting of licences for community radio stations;
(2) what considerations influenced his decision not to include Northern Ireland as one of the potential areas for applications for community radio and to refuse a licence in respect of Northern Ireland.
§ Mr. Giles ShawIn considering the locations for the 21 experimental community radio stations, my right hon. Friend took account of a range of factors, including the availability of frequencies, and the local radio services already in existence. He also had regard to the substantial number of groups expressing an interest in setting up community radio stations. Six representations were received from Northern Ireland before the announcement of the experimental locations; three have been received since then.
§ Mr. Beggsasked the Secretary of State for the Home Department if the application from Mr. W. J. Ryan, 26 Tern Crescent, Carrickfergus BT38 7RY, on behalf of a group of constituents of the right hon. Member for Antrim, East for a licence to operate a community radio station was considered by the community radio advisory panel.
§ Mr. Giles ShawNo. As explained in the reply given to a question from my hon. and learned Friend the Member for Burton (Mr. Lawrence) on 25 July at columns 670–71, it will not be possible during the experimental phase to consider applications from community radio stations in locations other than those specified.