§ Mr. GapesTo ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department (1) what monitoring he carries out of radio broadcasts to see whether they comply with the Race Relations Acts or Public Order Acts;
(2) what investigations he has made into the organisation, Muslim Community Radio;
(3) how many staff are employed monitoring radio broadcasts to consider whether they are racially offensive or incite racial hatred;
(4) what guidelines are issued to the Radio Authority with regard to broadcasting of racially offensive or anti-semitic material.
§ Mr. Nicholas BakerSection 22 of the Public Order Act 1986 makes it an offence to broadcast material intended to stir up racial hatred. The investigation of any complaints is a matter for the police and prosecuting authorities.
The Home Office has no role in the monitoring of radio broadcasts. The responsibilities of the Radio Authority are a matter for the Department of National Heritage.