HC Deb 13 July 1979 vol 970 cc312-3W
Mr. Critchley

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department what plans he has for the licensing of a further number of local radio stations.

Mr. Whitelaw

The Home Office local radio working party, on which the BBC and the IBA are represented, is responsible for preparing proposals for my consideration for the further development of local radio by stages over the United Kingdom as a whole. The working party has almost completed its second report which includes proposals for a second stage of local radio development. I intend to publish the report so that I can take account of public comment in reaching decisions on the working party's proposals.