HC Deb 28 February 1985 vol 74 cc254-5W
74. Sir Paul Bryan

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department what plans he has for the future of local and community radio.

Mr. Giles Shaw

The proposals for the further development of local radio outlined in the third report of the Home Office local radio working party were approved in principle by my noble Friend the Viscount Whitelaw in 1981. Any modification or extension to that pattern would be the subject of a further statement to the House. As regards community radio, I would refer my hon. Friend to the reply given to a question from my hon. Friend the Member for Kingswood (Mr. Hayward) on 23 January, at columns 417–18.

Mrs. Rumbold

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department (1) what representations he has received in respect of the setting up of a wider community radio network;

(2) if he has received any independent representations, other than those from the British Broadcasting Corporation and Independent Broadcasting Authority, on the availability of wavelengths for the proposed system of community radio.

Mr. Giles Shaw

Since the reply given to a question from my hon. Friend the Member for Kingswood (Mr. Haywood) on 23 January, at columns 417–18, we have received about 120 letters on community radio, together with a similar number of telephone inquiries. Most of the approaches have been from persons wishing to set up community radio stations, and some have referred to the availability and allocation of frequencies.

Mrs. Rumbold

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department when he expects to make a further announcement about his plans for the development of a wider community radio network.

Mr. Giles Shaw

As outlined in the reply given to a question from my hon. Friend the Member for Kingswood (Mr. Haywood) on 23 January, at columns 417–18, my right hon. and learned Friend hopes to make a further announcement before too long in the light of our study of the means by which community radio can best be taken forward.

Mrs. Rumbold

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will make it his policy, in determining commercial criteria for the new community radio system, to take account of the extent to which such criteria may affect the ability of small businesses to participate.

Mr. Giles Shaw

We regard it as important that community broadcasting should provide opportunities for those, whether voluntary groups, small businesses or otherwise, who are best able to reflect the interests of the communities they wish to serve.