§ Mr. Temple-Morrisasked the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will discuss with the British Broadcasting Corporation the suspension of its activities concerning further development of local radio pending the publication of the Green Paper on local radio referred to in his answer of 8 May, Official Report, columns 206–7.
§ Mr. Giles ShawWe have no plans to do so.
§ Mr. Temple-Morrisasked the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will discuss with the Independent Broadcasting Authority the suspension of its activities concerning the development of an independent national radio pending the publication of the Green Paper concerning the future of radio services as whole and referred to in his answer of 8 May, Official Report, columns 206–7.
§ Mr. Giles ShawThe Independent Broadcasting Authority is developing plans for the introduction of an independent national radio service (which would require legislation to supplement the preparatory provisions in. 48 of the Cable and Broadcasting Act 1984) and has discussed preliminary proposals with my right hon. Friend and others. We do not propose to discourage public debate on336W the nature and organisations of such a service: indeed, we have made it clear that its development will figure in the Green Paper referred to in the answer of 8 May.