Mr. Robert G. HughesTo ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department whether he envisages, under his broadcasting proposals, that applicants will be permitted to hid for more than one Channel 3 licence.
§ Mr. HurdUnder the ownership proposals which I announced on 19 May in answer to a written question from my hon. Friend at columns317–19, an individual licensee will be able to own two Channel 3 licences provided they are not both large or contiguous. The definition of large will be given in subordinate legislation. Applicants for Channel 3 licences will be permitted to apply for any number of licences provided they make clear their order of preference. Those who are successful in the bidding for more than the two licences to which they are entitled will be awarded the relevant licence or licences on the basis of their declared preference.