BBC Local Radio Debate

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BBC Local Radio

Greg Mulholland Excerpts
Wednesday 26th October 2011

(12 years, 6 months ago)

Westminster Hall
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Jason McCartney Portrait Jason McCartney
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The hon. Lady makes a superb point about the variety of musical choices. BBC Radio Leeds has a session for unsigned bands on Thursday evenings and has Yorkshire brass on a Sunday afternoon.

I want to concentrate on local sports. The coverage of local rugby league will be cut back at BBC Radio Leeds. Where will rugby league fans be able to keep up to date with the likes of the Dewsbury Rams, the Hunslet Hawks and Halifax? There will be the odd score flash about the Bradford Bulls and the Huddersfield Giants on Radio 5 Live, because they play super league games, but full match coverage of such games is rare on Radio 5 Live, which is very focused on football.

Greg Mulholland Portrait Greg Mulholland (Leeds North West) (LD)
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Will my hon. Friend give way?

Jason McCartney Portrait Jason McCartney
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I give way to my hon. Friend, who is a big advocate for rugby league.

Greg Mulholland Portrait Greg Mulholland
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Last night, my hon. Friend and other members of the all-party group on rugby league heard about the amazing community work that is being done by rugby league. The cuts to many of the stations that have been mentioned will do real damage not only to the coverage of the sport, but to its ability to assist in the community. Does he agree that there should be a full impact assessment of the effect on rugby league before any decisions are made?

Jason McCartney Portrait Jason McCartney
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My hon. Friend is right, and we will take the matter forward with the all-party group on rugby league.