Radio Stations (Hansard, 17 June 1998)

§ Mr. Nicholas Winterton
To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport if his Department has given guidance to the Radio Authority about the suitability of(a) topless darts, (b) bouncing dwarfs and (c) news-presenting rabbits on national radio stations; and if he will make a statement. [46278]

§ Mr. Fisher
[holding answer 16 June 1998]: The Government have not given guidance to the Radio Authority on topless darts, bouncing dwarves, rabbits as news presenters or indeed any other animals in key roles. It is entirely for the Radio Authority to interpret the provisions of the Broadcasting Acts 1990 and 1996 and to determine their licensing procedures accordingly.
Independent radio licensees are required by the Authority to ensure that their programme content meets a 'promise of performance', which forms part of their licence and which continues in force if ownership or control of the licence changes.

§ Mr. Nicholas Winterton
To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport by what statutory or other criteria the Radio Authority would assess the suitability to hold an independent national radio licence of any company taking over the current holder of such a licence; and if he will make a statement. [46275]

§ Mr. Fisher
[holding answer 16 June 1998]: The Radio Authority applies the restrictions on the control of national analogue radio licences set out in the Broadcasting Acts 1990 and 1996. As such, the Authority must refuse to issue such a licence to individuals who, or companies which, are specifically excluded under that legislation. As well as restrictions on individuals from, or companies registered, outside the European Economic Area, licences may not be controlled by advertising agencies or by bodies whose primary purposes are political or religious. The authority must also refuse licences to applicants whose holdings in other sectors of the media exceed the limits set out in the Acts, or in cases where the Authority is not satisfied that the applicant is a fit and proper person to hold such a licence.