§ Mr. KidneyTo ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport if she will ensure that United Christian Broadcasting receives a radio broadcasting licence. [15]
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§ Dr. HowellsThe Radio Authority is responsible for awarding radio broadcast licences under the terms of the Broadcasting Acts. United Christian Broadcasters already hold two satellite radio licences issued by the Radio Authority.
The Broadcasting Act 1990 disqualifies bodies whose objects are wholly or mainly of a religious nature from holding a terrestrial national analogue radio licence or a digital radio licence issued by the Radio Authority. The White Paper, "A New Future for Communications", announced our intention to lift the ban on religious bodies from holding local digital licences, at the next legislative opportunity. The White Paper also invited comments on relaxing the restrictions regarding the ownership of other licences by such bodies. We are currently considering the responses made. The Government will publish details of their proposals in a draft Bill as announced in the Queen's Speech.