Section 45 Financial assistance for radioI1I2

After section 359 of the Communications Act 2003 insert—

“Financial assistance for radio

Power of the Secretary of State to give financial assistance for radio

359A

(1)

The Secretary of State may give financial assistance for or in connection with—

(a)

the provision of eligible services;

(b)

the production of sound programmes (whether intended for broadcast or distribution by any other means).

(2)

The financial assistance may be given—

(a)

by way of grant, loan or guarantee or in any other form, and

(b)

subject to such conditions as the Secretary of State considers appropriate.

(3)

The conditions may (among other things) include provision under which the financial assistance is to be repaid or otherwise made good (with or without interest).

(4)

The eligible services for the purposes of subsection (1)(a) are—

(a)

services of a description in relation to which provision is for the time being in force under section 262 (community radio);

(b)

local sound broadcasting services;

(c)

local digital sound programme services.”