LOCAL TELEVISION

That this House notes the statement in the Digital Britain report that the Government wishes `to see local TV thrive'; believes that truly local television would make a significant contribution to public service broadcasting and democratic engagement in local communities; acknowledges Ofcom's view that broadband provision complements traditional public service broadcasting platforms; further notes Ofcom's statement `that the potential for broadcasting spectrum to support local television should be kept open'; recognises the UK's commitment, as a signatory to the Council of Europe Declaration on Community Media, to the principle of allocating a sufficient number of frequencies to community media, both radio and television; and looks to the Government to implement the provisions in the Communications Act 2003 to ensure that a viable local television network is established ensuring all citizens have access to a dedicated channel on both Freeview and cable, providing local news, local discussion, community programming and local advertising.