HC Deb 13 July 2001 vol 371 cc696-7W
Mr. Whittingdale

To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport if she will make it her policy to refuse applications for new BBC digital radio channels unless they are based on formats clearly distinct from existing digital radio channels. [3568]

Dr. Howells

[holding answer 12 July 2001]: My right hon. Friend the Secretary of State will assess all the proposed new BBC digital radio services against the criteria set out in the public service approvals guidelines. These include the distinctiveness (in programming and content) of the proposed BBC service from those provided by other broadcasters.

Mr. Whittingdale

To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport what assessment she has made of the extent to which the BBC's application for a digital radio channel Network Z is based on a format clearly distinct from the existing channel, Oneword. [3570]

Dr. Howells

[holding answer 12 July 2001]: My right hon. Friend the Secretary of State is currently assessing the BBC's application against the published public service approval guidelines. In reaching a decision she will take into account all the comments she has received during the consultation period, including those from Oneword.

Mrs. Brinton

To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport what assessment she will make of(a) the intended target audience of and (b) the distinctiveness of programmes proposed by Network Z in reaching a decision on it. [3762]

Dr. Howells

The criteria against which the Secretary of State will make her decision on the BBC proposals for new digital services, including Network Z, are set out in the published public service approvals guidelines. In reaching a decision, she will consider all the comments made to her during the consultation period.