§ Mr. BoswellTo ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport what plans she has in conjunction with Ofcom to facilitate transition to digital radio broadcasting. [178051]
619W
§ Estelle MorrisSection 67 of the Broadcasting Act 1996 requires the Secretary of State to keep under review the development of digital radio for the purposes of considering how long it would be appropriate for sound broadcasting services to be provided in analogue form. As required by the Act, she has asked Ofcom and the BBC to provide reports by 31 October which look at the current position and future prospects for: the provision of radio multiplex services; the availability of digital sound programme services and existing analogue services in digital form; and the ownership or possession of equipment capable of receiving digital sound services. A number of other industry bodies have also been asked to submit any comments they wish to make.