§ Lord Robertson of Oakridgeasked Her Majesty's Government:
Whether United Christian Broadcasters have been prevented from applying for a licence to broadcast programmes in the United Kingdom; and, if so, why; and [HL2363]
Whether they will, as a contribution to the Millennium celebrations, arrange for United Christian Broadcasters to be given a licence to broadcast in the United Kingdom at least in the years 2000 and 2001. [HL2364]
2WA
§ Lord McIntosh of HaringeyThe Radio Authority is the public statutory corporation responsible for licensing all independent radio services under the terms of the Broadcasting Acts 1990 and 1996, subject to review by the courts.
The Broadcasting Act 1990 disqualifies groups whose objectives are wholly or mainly of a religious nature from holding a terrestrial national radio licence issued by the Radio Authority. However, this disqualification does not extend to local, satellite and cable radio licences, where the authority is permitted to licence religious bodies subject to compliance with its religious guidelines. It is under these provisions that, for example, United Christian Broadcasters already hold two satellite broadcast licences from the Radio Authority. A religious organisation can hold a digital satellite radio licence but not a terrestrial digital radio multiplex or sound programme service licence under the 1996 Broadcasting Act.
My honourable friend the Minister for Tourism, Film and Broadcasting will be meeting representatives of United Christian Broadcasters shortly to explore their concerns more fully.