§ Mr. SwayneTo ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport what plans she has to change the law in respect of ownership of digital broadcast licences by religious broadcasters; and if she will make a statement. [31072]
§ Dr. HowellsThe recent paper "Consultation on Media Ownership Rules" announced that the Government will bring forward legislation to allow religious bodies to hold a local digital sound programme licence. The paper also invited views on whether the restrictions on ownership of other terrestrial licences by religious bodies should be relaxed, and we are currently considering the responses. The Government will publish details of their proposals in the draft Communications Bill which we expect to publish this spring.