§ Mr. Skeetasked the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many local and commercial radio stations have been selected by the Independent Broadcasting Authority following consultations with his Department under the 1973 Act; and what was the date of the last authorisation.
§ Mr. JohnThe Independent Broadcasting Authority has awarded 19 franchises to operate independent local radio services. The last of these, for the Wolverhampton and Black Country area, began operating on 12th April 1976.
§ Mr. Skeetasked the Secretary of State for the Home Department whether, in consultation with the IBA, he will consider permitting local radio in the Bedford area.
§ Mr. JohnIt would be inappropriate to authorise any further local radio stations while the committee of inquiry into the future of broadcasting under the chairmanship of Lord Annan is still siting, since the future of independent local radio is one of the matters which that Committee has under review.
214Wexpensive and least expensive project in each year by this criterion.