§ Mr. Simon ThomasTo ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport what plans she has to enable religious organisations to obtain a local digital licence. [1573]
§ Dr. HowellsThe recent White Paper "A New Future for Communications" announced that the Government will bring forward legislation to allow religious bodies to hold a local terrestrial digital radio licence.
§ Mr. Simon ThomasTo ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport what her policy is regarding the change from analogue radio licences to digital licences for(a) Christian broadcasters and (b) non-Christian broadcasters. [1574]
§ Dr. HowellsReligious bodies are currently disqualified from holding digital radio licences. The recent White Paper "A New Future for Communications" announced that the Government will bring forward142W legislation to allow religious bodies to hold a local digital licence and invited comments on relaxing the ownership of other licences by such bodies. We are currently considering the responses. The Government will publish details of their proposals in a draft Bill as announced in the Queen's Speech.
§ Mr. DrewTo ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport what recent discussions she has had with United Christian Broadcasters about their desire to obtain a new licence. [1661]
§ Dr. HowellsNone. However, the former Under-Secretary, my hon. Friend the Member for Rossendale and Darwen (Janet Anderson), met with representatives of United Christian Broadcasters several times. The last meeting was on 4 April.