§ Mr. FisherTo ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department whether it is his intention to proceed with an experimental pilot scheme in community radio.
§ Mr. RentonIt did not prove possible to proceed in 1986 with the proposed community radio experiment and we have no plans to revive it, but we have indicated to the IBA and other interested organisations that we will look without commitment at any proposals in advance of the proposed broadcasting legislation for further developing the indepenent radio broadcasting sector within the current framework of the Broadcasting Act 1981.
§ Mr. FisherTo ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what is his policy towards the European Parliament's resolution to reserve part of the radio spectrum for non-commercial community radio stations.
§ Mr. RentonThe Government's proposals for the assignment of frequencies to, and licensing of, independent radio stations at the local level (including the community level), under the new regime planned for radio broadcasting, were set out in paragraph 7.12–23 of the Green Paper "Radio: Choices and Opportunities".