BBC 6 Music

Lord Clement-Jones Excerpts

Wednesday 16th June 2010 Lords Chamber

Asked by

[Lord Clement-Jones]

To ask Her Majesty’s Government what representations they have made to the BBC regarding the future of BBC 6 Music radio station.

[Lord Shutt of Greetland]

My Lords, the Government have made no representations to the BBC. This is a matter for the BBC Trust.

[Lord Clement-Jones]

My Lords, I thank my noble friend for that Answer. I am sure that it stems from a desire for the BBC Trust to be seen to be totally independent, but I hope that he does not consider the BBC Trust to be impervious as well as independent. Will he, with his departmental colleagues, ask the BBC Trust to take note of something in the order of 1 million people per week who now listen to 6 Music? With the demise of NME digital radio, it is the only radio station that is showcasing new British music. The destruction of 6 Music, I hope he will agree, would be cultural and economic vandalism.

[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.