§ Mr. Harveyasked the Secretary of State for the Home Department whether the British Broadcasting Corporation and Independent Broadcasting Authority will have any advisory capacity in his allocation of franchises for the new network of local radio stations; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mr. Giles ShawWe are now considering the allocation of experimental community radio licences in the light of proposals from the advisory panel on community radio appointed for this purpose by the then Home Secretary. The membership of the panel includes a member of the Independent Broadcasting Authority and a member of the staff of the BBC, both appointed in an individual capacity on the basis of their knowledge of broadcasting matters; but neither the authority nor the corporation has played or will play any part in the selection process.