HC Deb 25 July 1990 vol 177 cc265-6W
Mr. Forman

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will make a statement outlining his policy on the future of Greater London Radio.

Mr. Nicholas Winterton

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what steps he intends to take to encourage the British Broadcasting Corporation to develop still further its commitment to local public service radio.

Mr. Dykes

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department whether the remarks made by the Minister of State, the right hon. and learned Member for Putney (Mr. Mellor), about Greater London Radio in a speech of 16 May to a conference on independent radio represent the policy of his Department; and if he will make a statement.

Mr. Waddington

[holding answer 24 July 1990]: As explained in the Green Paper "Radio: Choices and Opportunities" published in 1987, the Government believe that there continues to be a case for BBC local radio, providing a distinctive service alongside a growing

application was made. Thirty-four further applications have been referred to the Immigration Department of the Home Office and are being considered; 26 of these have been made since the beginning of July. We are reviewing the procedures for dealing with overseas adoptions together with the Department of Health and the Foreign and Commonwealth Office to see whether they can be streamlined further while continuing to provide proper protection for the children involved.