<div dir="ltr"><div>Highlights:<br><br></div><b>Chris Bryant MP, Rhondda (Labour)</b><br><br><div style="margin-left:40px">"Many stations
face a difficult financial settlement. The amount of money available
through the fund for all community radio stations across the whole
sector is £393,000. Originally, there were
only 14 community radio stations. There are now more than 200, so the
vast majority do not get any funding out of that at all. The average
amount that they get is very small, which poses a real difficulty for
them. I would merely compare that £393,000 for community radio
with the £40 million that the Government, in their infinite lack
of wisdom, decided to give to local television services, despite the
fact that so far they have not proved to be an enormous success, with
only six of them up and running.<a class="" name="15032468000031">"</a><br></div><div style="margin-left:40px"><a class="" name="15032468000031"></a></div><a class="" name="15032468000031"><br></a><div><div><b>Ed Vaizey MP, Wantage (Conservative)</b><br><br><div style="margin-left:40px">"...I have said when debating other
issues—previously, to do with digital radio—it is
important that we stress cross-party support for the sectors,
particularly for community radio, especially as it began under the
previous Labour Government. Community radio is an unequivocal success
story.<a class="" name="15032468000043"> </a>
</div><p style="margin-left:40px" class="">I
agree with the hon. Gentleman that after the election the next
Government, whoever they may be, should take a long, hard look at
community radio, because a vibrant ecosystem has been created. These
wonderful stations are professionally run, providing an outlet for many
talented people and a huge resource for their local communities. I
would put community radio up there as one of the key priorities for the
next Broadcasting Minister to consider.<a class="" name="15032468000044">"</a><br></p></div><div><b>Hansard record:</b><br><br><a href="http://www.publications.parliament.uk/pa/cm201415/cmgeneral/deleg9/150324/150324s01.htm">http://www.publications.parliament.uk/pa/cm201415/cmgeneral/deleg9/150324/150324s01.htm</a><br><br><b>Online catch-up here:</b><br><br><a href="http://www.parliamentlive.tv/Event/Index/176e5c83-088b-43c3-8a14-dec393f3756e">http://www.parliamentlive.tv/Event/Index/176e5c83-088b-43c3-8a14-dec393f3756e</a><br><br>\\<br><br clear="all"><div><div class="gmail_signature">Community Media Association<br>-- <br><a href="http://www.commedia.org.uk/" target="_blank">http://www.commedia.org.uk/</a><br><a href="http://twitter.com/community_media" target="_blank">http://twitter.com/community_media</a><br><a href="https://www.facebook.com/CommunityMediaAssociation" target="_blank">https://www.facebook.com/CommunityMediaAssociation</a><br><br>Canstream Internet Radio & Video<br><a href="http://www.canstream.co.uk/" target="_blank">http://www.canstream.co.uk/</a><br><a href="https://twitter.com/canstream" target="_blank">https://twitter.com/canstream</a></div></div>
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