§ Mr. CoxTo ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport (1) if he will list the members of the Radio Authority; who appoints them; what is their period of appointment; and what are the terms of reference of the authority; [67679]
(2) if he will list the members of the Radio Authority from ethnic minorities. [67683]
§ Janet AndersonThe Radio Authority was established under the Broadcasting Act 1990 to licence and regulate independent radio services in the UK. The Authority is responsible for interpreting its statutory duties under the Broadcasting Acts 1990 and 1996, and is independent of Government.
648WMy right hon. Friend the Secretary of State appoints members of the Radio Authority. It is not the Department's current policy to reveal details of an individual's ethnic origin, but only to collect information for monitoring purposes. The present Radio Authority Members, with their period of appointment are as follows:
Members Period of appointment Sir Peter Gibbings (Chairman) 1 January 1995 to 31 December 1999 Mr. Michael Moriarty (Deputy Chairman) 18 January 1996 to 17 January 2000 Ms Sheila Hewitt 1 December 1998 to 30 November 2003 Mr. Andrew Reid 16 August 1994 to 15 August 1999 Mr. Michael Reupke 18 May 1994 to 17 May 1999 Mr. Fergal Sharkey 1 December 1998 to 30 November 2003 Lady Sheil 16 August 1994 to 15 August 1999 Mrs. Helen Tennant 1 December 1995 to 30 November 2000 Mr. David Witherow 1 January 1998 to 30 November 2003