Community Radio (Hansard, 3 May 1994)

§ Mr. Nicholas Winterton
To ask the Secretary of State for National Heritage what information he has concerning those FM frequencies which are to be reserved by the Radio Authority to provide for the future development of community radio.

§ Mr. Brooke
It is for the Radio Authority to determine how to use the new FM frequencies, in the band 105–108 MHz, which become available from the end of 1995. I understand no decisions have yet been taken.

§ Mr. Nicholas Winterton
To ask the Secretary of State for National Heritage (1) what plans he has to encourage the development of community radio; and if he will make a statement;
(2) if he will make a statement about the extent to which the Radio Authority is seeking to encourage franchise bids from community radio broadcasters.

§ Mr. Brooke
The priorities and procedures for developing the independent radio sector, including community radio, are determined by the Radio Authority; the Government do not seek to influence the authority's judgment.

§ Mr. Nicholas Winterton
To ask the Secretary of State for National Heritage what recent representations he has received concerning community radio; and if he will make a statement.

§ Mr. Brooke
Following the publication of the Radio Authority's consultation document on the "Future Use of 105–108MHz", I have received a number of letters from both hon. Members and members of the public in support of community radio and other forms of radio services. I have explained that it is for the Radio Authority to determine how best to use the new frequencies for the development of independent radio.

§ Mr. Nicholas Winterton
To ask the Secretary of State for National Heritage when he last met the Community Radio Association to discuss the future of community radio; and if he will make a statement.

§ Mr. Brooke
I have not met the association, but officials keep in touch with its representatives.

§ Mr. Nicholas Winterton
To ask the Secretary of State for National Heritage if he will make a statement setting out his policies for the future management of the radio spectrum; and if he will indicate specifically which elements of the spectrum will be utilised to facilitate the development of community radio.

§ Mr. Brooke
The Government's policy is to increase diversity and choice for listeners and to promote competition in the provision of services.
The Government are allocating further FM spectrum, from 105 MHz to 108 MHz, to the Radio Authority from the end of 1995, or earlier if possible. It is for the Radio Authority to decide the use of this spectrum and it has issued a consultation document to seek views on this.
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The Government are also preparing for the introduction of digital audio broadcasting. The National DAB Forum brings together interested parties, including the Community Radio Association.

§ Mr. Milburn
To ask the Secretary of State for National Heritage (1) what information he has concerning the number of(a) hospital radio stations, (b) community radio groups, (c) student radio stations and (d) radio stations catering for the inmates of institutions for young offenders which currently broadcast in the United Kingdom; and what projections he has made of the growth of broadcasters in each of those categories over the next 10 years;
(2) what information he has concerning the number of restricted service licences which have been awarded since 1990 by the Radio Authority for experimental broadcasts by community groups; and how many of those licensees have subsequently been granted full franchises to broadcast as community radio stations.

§ Mr. Brooke
I suggest the hon. Member asks the Radio Authority for this information, since it is responsible for licensing services.

§ Mr. Milburn
To ask the Secretary of State for National Heritage (1) whether the proposal for the nationwide introduction of community radio contained in the 1987 Green Paper "Radio: Choices and Opportunities", Cm 92, remains the policy of Her Majesty's Government; and if he will make a statement;
(2) whether the indication in the Green Paper on "Radio: Choices and Opportunities", Cm 92, on the possible number of community radio stations remains the policy of his Department; and if he will make a statement.

§ Mr. Brooke
The Green Paper was a consultative document. In the subsequent White Paper, and during the passage of the Broadcasting Act 1990, the Government took the view that community radio did not need to be distinguished from other independent radio services. It is for the Radio Authority to determine its priorities and procedures for developing the independent radio sector in accordance with requirements of the Broadcasting Act.