§ Mr. FisherTo ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department (1) how many new local and community radio stations are planned for Northern Ireland;
724W(2) what regulations will be introduced to cover the expansion of local and community radio in Northern Ireland so as to ensure (a) diversity, (b) balance of news and (c) balance of opinion.
§ Mr. RentonIt will be for the radio authority to decide how many licences should be awarded in Northern Ireland, having regard to the spectrum available and to criteria reflecting those in paragraph 7.23 of the Green Paper "Radio: Choices and Opportunities". It will be a condition of all licences that news is presented with accuracy and impartiality.