HC Deb 15 December 1993 vol 234 cc634-5W
Mrs. Fyfe

To ask the Secretary of State for National Heritage if he will list radio stations which are wholly or mainly aimed at serving ethnic minority listeners.

Mr. Brooke

The following radio stations are wholly or mainly aimed at serving ethnic minority listeners:

  • Choice FM (South London)
  • Harmony Radio (Coventry)
  • London Greek Radio{North London)
  • Spectrum Radio(Londonwide)
  • Sunrise East Midlands (Leicester)
  • Sunrise FM (Bradford)
  • Sunrise Radio (West London1)
  • WNK Radio (North London)
  • 1 Londonwide from 1 January 1994).

Mrs. Fyfe

To ask the Secretary of State for National Heritage how many radio stations serve each of the cities of Glasgow, Edinburgh, Aberdeen, Dundee, Birmingham, Manchester, Liverpool and Sheffield.

Mr. Brooke

The table lists the number of services which are specifically designed to serve the whole of each named city.

BBC Independent
National Local/Regional National Local/Regional
Glasgow 5 1 2 13
Edinburgh 5 1 2 13
Aberdeen 5 1 2 12
Dundee 5 1 2 12
Birmingham 5 1 2 13
Manchester 5 1 2 15
Liverpool 5 1 2 13
Sheffield 5 1 2 2
1 Includes services which are licensed but not yet on air.

In addition, there are services which can be heard in part of each city or received from neighbouring areas.

Mrs. Fyfe

To ask the Secretary of State for National Heritage which major British cities have a radio station licensed to serve the entire metropolitan area.

Mr. Brooke

Every major British city has at least one licensed local radio service.

Mrs. Fyfe

To ask the Secretary of State for National Heritage what is his policy on the provision of small community radio stations.

Mr. Brooke

Under the Broadcasting Act 1990, the Radio Authority licenses independent radio stations, including stations to serve small communities. It is for the authority to decide how to carry out its responsibilities.