§ Mr. MacShaneTo ask the Secretary of State for National Heritage what responsibility she has for the allocation of public airwaves to independent radio operators. [3900]
§ Mr. SproatUnder the terms of the Broadcasting Acts 1990 and 1996, my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State assigns a range of frequencies to the Radio Authority for the provision of independent radio services. Responsibility for planning the use of this spectrum to deliver a range of national and local services is a matter for the Radio Authority under the terms of the Broadcasting Acts.