asked Her Majesty's Government:

What recent steps they have taken under Section 67 of the Broadcasting Act 1996 to review the development of digital radio with a view to extending coverage generally and in particular to the Highlands and Islands of Scotland. [HL3724]

Extending coverage is a matter for broadcasters. Section 67 of the Broadcasting Act 1996 requires the Secretary of State to keep under review the development of digital radio for the purpose of considering how long it would be appropriate for sound broadcasting services to continue to be provided in analogue form. The last review was carried out in 2004 and concluded it was too early to consider switchover.

However, in November 2007, the then Secretary of State, the right honourable Member for Stalybridge and Hyde (James Purnell), established an independently chaired Digital Radio Working Group to look at the barriers to digital radio listening including coverage. The group will report by the end of this year.