HC Deb 17 June 1996 vol 279 cc324-5W
Ms Abbott

To ask the Secretary of State for National Heritage what plans the Radio Authority has to consult (i) black and (ii) other ethnic minorities in(a) Manchester, (b) Birmingham and (c) London on commercial radio; and if she will make a statement. [32558]

Mr. Sproat

It is a matter for the Radio Authority to decide on groups and bodies to be consulted in discharging its responsibilities.

Ms Abbott

To ask the Secretary of State for National Heritage what is her Department's policy in respect of ethnic minority radio broadcasting. [32556]

Mr. Sproat

The Government are committed to the promotion of diversity and choice in radio. The BBC recognises its particular duty as a public service broadcaster to represent and serve Britain's ethnic minorities by providing targeted programmes and services and through ensuring fair representation in mainstream radio services. In the commercial sector, the Broadcasting Act 1990 requires the Radio Authority, in awarding local radio licences, to have regard to the extent to which any applicant for a licence would cater for the tastes and interests of the local community and broaden the range of programmes available to it. These principles will be taken forward into digital audio broadcasting by the Broadcasting Bill currently before the House.

Ms Abbott

To ask the Secretary of State for National Heritage (1) what consultative meetings her Department has held with representatives of the black and other ethnic minority communities on radio broadcasting in 1995–96; and if she will make a statement; [32555]

(2) what plans her Department has to consult black and other ethnic minorities nationally about commercial radio; and if she will make a statement. [32557]

Mr. Sproat

Ministers and officials from my Department meet representatives from a wide range of radio broadcasting interests from time to time. The most recent meeting with representatives of the black community involved in radio broadcasting was a visit to Choice FM by the Department's permanent secretary on 24 April. We currently have no plans for a formal consultation exercise on any aspect of commercial radio policy.

Ms Abbott

To ask the Secretary of State for National Heritage how many (i) black and (ii) other ethnic minority staff the Radio Authority employs; and if she will make a statement. [32554]

Mr. Sproat

Of the seven members of the authority appointed by my right hon. Friend, there is currently one black member. The Radio Authority has 33 staff, of whom one is from an ethnic minority. The authority also retains a former member of the authority, who is from an ethnic minority, as a consultant on ethnic minority issues.

Ms Abbott

To ask the Secretary of State for National Heritage how many radio licences have been issued to (i) black and (ii) other ethnic minority radio stations. [32553]

Mr. Sproat.

The Radio Authority has issued 10 licences to provide local radio services aimed at catering for the tastes and interests of black and ethnic minority audiences.