§ Mr. AltonTo ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what representation he has received from the shadow Radio Authority about the interpretation of the restrictions on broadcasting religious matters in the Broadcasting Bill known as the "no undue prominence" and "no editorialising" provisions, as they will apply to the ownership of licences by religious groups; and if he proposes to issue any guidance about how the Radio Authority intends to interpret these provisions.
§ Mr. MellorThe Broadcasting Bill contains no prohibitions on ownership of radio stations by religious bodies. We are currently discussing with the regulatory bodies the programme content provisons in the Bill which are relevant to religious broadcasting. Application of such provisions will be a matter for them; but our discussions include the question of whether it would be helpful to issue guidance on the effect of these provisions.