Vol. 343 No. 8
asked the Minister for Posts and Telegraphs if it is his intention to engage in consultation with or consider submissions from people engaged in illegal broadcasting or in the control of pirate radio stations; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
604.
asked the Minister for Posts and Telegraphs if he proposes to grant a broadcasting licence to persons or groups previously engaged in pirate radio broadcasting in this country; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
I propose to take Questions Nos. 603 and 604 together. Legislation is being drafted as a matter of urgency to provide a framework for the orderly development of community radio services through the establishment of a new authority which will regulate and oversee local radio services. It will be a matter for the new authority to select those persons who may be authorised to operate such services. Separately, I will be setting up in the immediate future a local broadcasting committee to carry out whatever preparatory work is possible in advance of establishment of the authority to speed up the introduction of local radio. The intention is that the committee will consider submissions from various interested parties, especially youth organisations, on their concepts of local radio services.
