§ Mr. CoxTo ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport if a holder can be granted more than one concurrent radio licence; and if he will make a statement. [67684]
§ Janet AndersonUnder the terms of the Broadcasting Acts 1990 and 1996 no one person may hold more than one national analogue licence, national digital multiplex licence or national digital sound programme service licence. A person may hold one FM and one AM licence for areas which share a potential audience overlap of over 50 per cent. and may apply to hold one further licence for the same area on either waveband subject to a public interest test operated by the Radio Authority.
§ Mr. CoxTo ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport (1) what questions are asked of applicants for a radio licence; and if he will make a statement; [67681]
(2) what inquiries are made as to the background of people who apply for licences to run independent radio stations. [67680]
§ Janet AndersonThe Radio Authority is responsible for determining the process of the award of independent radio licences according to the provisions of the Broadcasting Acts 1990 and 1996. The Authority decides the questions asked of licence applicants. I understand that the Authority's standard application form requests details of the background of licence applicants, and details of others whose involvement in the preparation of a licence application has been substantial. The Radio Authority published on 29 January details of its licensing award procedures for commercial radio.