BBC 6 Music

Debate between Lord Colwyn and Lord Shutt of Greetland

Wednesday 16th June 2010 Lords Chamber

[Lord Shutt of Greetland]

My Lords, I thank my noble friend for his supplementary question. There has been consultation about 6 Music over a 12-week period and the BBC is considering this. Anybody who happened to switch on to Radio 4 this morning at about 7 o’clock would also hear about further consultations for Radios 3, 4 and 7 that are taking place. The remarkable thing is that, since the suggestion arose that this particular radio station would cease to be, the listenership has doubled.

[Lord Colwyn]

Will my noble friend the Minister report any progress on the Live Music Bill, which so nearly became law in the past Parliament and would have given licensing exemption to small venues, thus encouraging musical performance, especially for young musicians?

[Lord Shutt of Greetland]

My Lords, my noble friend may well be right about that. I am afraid that I have no news about any timescale for such a Bill.