§ Mr. Cartwrightasked the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will list the cable based community radio stations now operating under the experimental arrangements begun in 1978; what arrangements exist to ensure that they observe acceptable standards of objectivity and decency; and when the results of this experiment are to be reviewed.
§ Mr. Giles ShawSince part I of the Cable and Broadcasting Act 1984 came into force on 1 January 1985 all licensable cable programme services, including those established under the arrangements in 1978, have been subject to regulation by the Cable Authority and have ceased to be regarded as experimental. We understand from the authority that of those cable radio services established under the 1978 arrangements Milton Keynes and Thamesmead are still operating. In common with all licensed services the authority is required by section 10 of the Act to do all that it can to secure that these services include nothing which offends against good taste or decency and that all news given (in whatever form) in programmes which originate in the United Kingdom is presented with due accuracy and impartiality.