§ Simon HughesTo ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport if she plans to maintain the ban on religious organisations owning many categories of broadcasting licence; and if she will make a statement. [70779]
§ Dr. HowellsThe Government's position is set out in the document 'The draft Communications Bill—The Policy' which states that where there is sufficient spectrum availability, restrictions on religious bodies holding licences will be removed (para 9.3.3).
The Radio Authority, which licences all independent radio services in the UK, is currently given discretion under the Broadcasting Act 1990 to award local analogue, satellite and cable licences to religious bodies, subject to compliance with the authority's codes, and the ITC can also award cable and satellite TV licences to religious organisations. The draft Bill increases the number of types of licences which religious bodies can hold by giving Ofcom discretion to award local digital sound programme service licences, digital additional service licences, digital programme service licences and TV restricted service licences.