[comradio-l] Community Radio: Oral Answers to Questions — DCMS, 03/03/11

[CMA-L]

Oral Answers to Questions — Culture, Media and Sport
House of Commons debates, 3 March 2011, 10:30 am

Andrew Bridgen (North West Leicestershire, Conservative):

What plans he has for the future of community radio; and if he will
make a statement.

Edward Vaizey (Parliamentary Under Secretary of State (Culture,
Communications and Creative Industries), Business, Innovation and
Skills; Wantage, Conservative)

My Department is a strong supporter of community radio and has secured
around £450,000 a year to support it. We intend to examine the
regulatory regime for community radio as part of the forthcoming
communications review.

Andrew Bridgen:

Given the merging and closure of so many commercial local radio
stations, what specific measures will the Government take to encourage
community radio to offer an alternative in competition with local BBC
radio stations?

Edward Vaizey:

As I have said, we have secured the funding for this spending round.
There are now 185 community radio stations on air, and I know that
Hermitage FM is extremely popular in my hon. Friend's constituency.
Ofcom will shortly report on a third round of licensing for community
radio.

Hansard source: http://is.gd/hSKgu5

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