NON-COMMERCIAL NATIONAL RADIO STATION FOR CHILDREN

Early day motion 378, tabled 9 July 2013 by John Leech (Liberal Democrat). Signed by 29 members.

That this House recognises the benefits to children of specialist radio programming, including the stimulation of communication, concentration and memory; notes that, in 2011, the BBC reduced the number of hours of children's programming in the radio schedule by 75 per cent; further notes that the remainder of these programmes have been moved to the primarily adult station of Radio 4extra; further recognises that by moving children's programming onto primarily adult channels constant parental supervision is required; believes that despite claims from the BBC, the success of commercial children's radio stations such as Fun Kids and abracaDABra! demonstrates the desire among audiences for radio stations aimed exclusively at providing children's content; and as a result calls for the creation of a non-commercial national radio station for children.

Signatures by party: Labour 14, Liberal Democrat 7, Conservative 3, DUP 2, Alliance 1, Green 1, Independent 1.