Oral Answers to Questions

Kevin Foster Excerpts

Thursday 1st November 2018 Commons Chamber

[Kevin Foster (Torbay) (Con)]

8. What progress his Department has made on supporting the development of small-scale digital radio multiplex services.

[The Minister for Digital and the Creative Industries (Margot James)]

I recognise the important role that commercial and community radio stations play in the communities they serve, and I congratulate my hon. Friend on the passage of his Broadcasting (Radio Multiplex Services) Act 2017. My Department provided funding for the successful trials of small-scale digital audio broadcasting across the UK, and we have now completed the consultation on detailed proposals for the licensing framework.

[Kevin Foster]

I thank the Minister for her answer. I welcome removing barriers to smaller community and commercial radio stations going digital, but can she advise on when she expects the new licensing system for small-scale multiplexes to be fully in place?

[Margot James]

Having completed the consultation on the new licensing system, we are now working closely with Ofcom on the detailed arrangements, including spectrum planning, on which Ofcom has the lead. Our aim is to bring forward the secondary legislation required for the first stages next year.

--- Later in debate ---

[Mr Speaker]

Order. The hon. Member for Rhondda (Chris Bryant) is not being asked by anybody else to resign. That is not going to happen.

[Kevin Foster (Torbay) (Con)]

Does the Attorney General agree that EU citizens can take great comfort from the clear commitments that have been given in the case of no deal and that they should therefore ignore the scaremongering from the separatists on the Opposition Benches?