§ Mr. Liddell-GraingerTo ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport what Government assistance is available to the BBC to cover the whole of the Bridgwater constituency by local radio. [115614]
§ Dr. HowellsThis is a matter for the BBC. The BBC is funded by the licence fee and the Governors are responsible for ensuring that the funds are spent in the public interest. I understand that the BBC currently has a local FM service across parts of Somerset in the form of BBC Radio Bristol, and the Corporation has no plans for further FM developments in this area.
§ Mr. Liddell-GraingerTo ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport if she will grant the BBC an FM frequency in Somerset. [115615]
§ Dr. HowellsThis is a matter for the BBC. FM spectrum is a scarce resource and it is for the BBC to determine how their spectrum allocation is planned to deliver local radio services. I understand that the BBC currently has a local FM service across parts of Somerset in the form of BBC Radio Bristol, and the Corporation has no plans for further FM developments in this area.