Written question asked by James Gray (Conservative) on Tuesday, 24 April 2001, in the House of Commons. It was due for an answer on Monday, 30 April 2001. It was answered by Janet Anderson (Labour) on Monday, 30 April 2001 on behalf of the Department for Culture, Media and Sport.

Dept for Culture Media and Sport

Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport, if he will grant automatic renewal to Premier Christian Radio's analogue licence. - (Holding answer 27 April 2001).

Answer: Mr. Gray: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport if he will grant automatic renewal to Premier Christian Radio's analogue licence. [159264] Janet Anderson: [holding answer 27 April 2001]: The Radio Authority is required automatically to re-advertise, in an open competition, all analogue local licences in areas where the number of persons, aged 15 years or over, resident in the coverage area of that service exceeds 4.5 million. The only analogue services exempted from this requirement are those who broadcast, or are committed to broadcast, on a digital multiplex in the relevant area. As Premier Christian Radio is prohibited by current legislation from holding a digital licence, its analogue licence cannot be automatically renewed. The Government are committed to bring forward communications legislation which would remove this prohibition.

Secondary information