§ Mr. Temple-Morrisasked the Secretary of State for the Home Department whether he is considering the publication of a Green paper on local radio.
§ Mr. Giles ShawMy right hon. and learned Friend the then Home Secretary announced last year that he proposed 203W to publish a Green Paper this summer identifying the broadcasting policy issues raised by the forthcoming experiment in community radio, including the possible implications for existing local radio services, and inviting comments on a range of possible responses. When that announcement was made it was envisaged that the experimental community radio stations would by then have been operating for some months. It has since become increasingly clear, partly because of the significance community radio is likely to have for the existing framework for the provision and regulation of radio broadcasting, that it would make good sense for the Green Paper to look not only at community radio, but also at the future of radio services as a whole of which community radio may form a significant part. It has also become clear that if experience of the experiments is to inform the consultative process, then a later date of publication would be needed, and this will also allow reference to be made to the report of the Peacock committee, publication of which is expected in the summer.