§ Mr. DrewTo ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport what recent discussions she has had with representatives of Christian organisations on the subject of broadcasting. [31261]
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§ Dr. HowellsMinisters have had no recent meetings with representatives of Christian organisations.
§ Mr. DrewTo ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport if she will (1) review broadcasting legislation to redefine access for Christian broadcasting stations; [31263]
(2) make a statement on what reasons there are for preventing the setting up of Christian radio and television stations. [31262]
§ Dr. HowellsThe regulators have licensed a number of Christian radio and television stations using their discretion under the Broadcasting Act 1990 to award local analogue, satellite and cable sound programme and cable and satellite television service licences to religious bodies.The Broadcasting Acts do not permit them to award licences for national analogue, national digital or local digital sound programme and terrestrial analogue and terrestrial digital television services.
I am reviewing broadcasting legislation in the light of responses to the recent "Consultation on Media Ownership Rules" which announced that the Government will bring forward legislation to allow religious bodies to hold a local digital sound programme licence. The paper also invited views on whether the restrictions on ownership of other terrestrial licences by religious bodies should be relaxed, and we are currently considering the responses. The Government will publish details of its proposals in the draft Communications Bill which we expect to publish this spring.