Broadcasting (Hansard, 15 October 2002)

§ Mr. Streeter
To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport how many representations he has received from hon. Members, other individuals and organisations in connection with the statutory ban on religious organisations holding several categories of broadcasting licence; and how many and what percentage of those representatives supported the continuation of such a ban. [73830]

§ Dr. Howells
The Government's papers, "A New Future for Communications" published in December 2000, and "Consultation on Media Ownership Rules" published in November 2001, confirmed that we planned to bring forward legislation to allow religious bodies to hold a local digital sound programme licence. Both papers invited further views on whether the restrictions on ownership of other terrestrial licences by religious bodies should be relaxed. We received approximately 14,500 (6,500 and 8,000 respectively) responses from MPs, organisations and members of public, virtually all of which, broadly supported the lifting of the current restrictions.

§ Mr. Swayne
To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport what limitations there are on the spectrum available to broadcasters allocated on new digital muliplexes; and if she will make a statement. [73943]

§ Dr. Howells
Multiplex service licences have been granted to the BBC and to Crown Castle by the Independent Television Commission under the terms of the Broadcasting Act 1996, as described in the ITC invitation to apply for digital licences issued on 1 May 2002. The Act currently requires that at least 90 per cent. of the capacity on any multiplex must be available for programme or programme-related services.

§ Mr. Swayne
To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport for what reasons there are restrictions on the broadcast of religious music. [73985]
623W

§ Dr. Howells
There are no restrictions on the broadcast of religious music.

§ Mr. Swayne
To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport for what reasons religious persons are limited in the broadcast licences for which they can apply. [73986]

§ Dr. Howells
I refer the hon. Member to the answer I gave him on 18 June,Official Report, columns 273W–274W.