§ 34. Mr. A. Cecil WalkerTo ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will make a statement on the implementation of the 1981 and 1987 Broadcasting Acts as they affect Northern Ireland.
§ Mr. RentonThe Broadcasting Act 1981 sets out the statutory framework for the operation of independent television and radio in the United Kingdom. Under it Ulster Television was re-awarded the ITV franchise for Northern Ireland in 1981 and Downtown Radio had its contract for the provision of the Northern Ireland ILR service extended by a further eight years in 1986. In accordance with the Broadcasting Act 1987, which makes provision for extending existing ITV contracts with the IBA until 31 December 1992, the franchise of Ulster Television is extended to that date.