Enough about TV, it's radio's turn. This is the sixth section of the Bill, entitled "Independent radio services".

Clause 30 : Digital switchover. The digital switchover of radio is clearly an important issue, because the majority of people still use analogue radios, for a number of reasons. Also, the digital TV switchover is far easier, as you just need a new box to stick under your current set and you're away, whereas radios clearly don't work like that. Thus, there will be a shedload of FM radios going on the scrapheap, and the Tories "remain unconvinced that the Government's plans to switchover in 2015 are realistic". Indeed, the government made it clear that the 2015 date suggested was "a target that we have set, not a precise date". So, don't worry, basically.

In all fairness, there is a good argument to be had to not turn off FM radio at all. It has uses besides your favourite music mix, such as radios for emergency services and the like. I'm sure that, eventually, we'll have to do away with FM, but I really don't think it's worth thinking about it until it's well and truly dead. As it stands, its use is alive and well, unlike with analogue TV. Anyway, I'm blabbing, instead of telling you what everyone said. Lord Young of Norwood Green insisted that the government had no intention to turn off FM and switch to DAB until the vast majority of people used DAB. Lord Clement-Jones wasn't thoroughly convinced, as he made it clear that "ultra-local radio" covered such small areas that FM would continue to be sensible for them, but DAB would make it more difficult for them.

The point of ultra-local radio was also brought up by the Lord Bishop of Manchester, who pointed out that moving to DAB could widen the range of these stations, having the knock-on effect of receiving phone-ins from people beyond the local area and, more importantly, putting off local advertisers who don't want to pay higher ad costs for such a wide range. He used the BBC's failed attempt to turn off Radio 4's LW service, which prompted "purposeful if well-mannered resistance, as one might expect from Radio 4 listeners. In fact, I am told that the sight of 200 protestors [sic] in tweed and twinsets marching down Upper Regent Street was enough to help the BBC to see the error of its ways". Lord Young tried his best to allay concerns, included the mention of a proposed system to select stations by name rather than by band, thus allowing FM and DAB to run side-by-side. Promising, indeed.

Lord Low of Dalston made his first appearance, and got off to a shaky start, though when I saw the video (I usually just listen to the debates rather than watch them) I realised why - he's blind. Well, he's the right man to comment on the problems faced by blind people with digital switchover. According to him, "more than 91 per cent regularly [listen] to the radio and more than 80 per cent [own] a radio set themselves", quite amazing statistics, though why pay for a TV licence if you can't see the damn thing? Thus, blind people rely on radio for all their news, sport and entertainment needs. The problem is in the design: old radios "use buttons and tactile dials for tuning. New DAB radios rely on touch screens or inset buttons that can pose real difficulties for visually impaired users". He wants the government to insist on manufacturers designing radios with this in mind. He also pointed out that with the screen of the radio providing information about the shows, presenters will be less inclined to give this info out. All in all, a good set of points.

Lord Young did make it clear that iVOX technology makes things a lot easier for blind people (I assume a robot voice tells you the information on the screen for you, which is a good idea). Lord Low knows about these things, but reminded Lord Young that the manufacturers might not consider some of them commercially viable, as has apparently happened in the past. He made some very important points (that I'm sure many people didn't even realise before), so I hope to hear more of this.

Clause 30 passed - no amendments

The debates came together for the final day of Committee on the 8th February.

Clause 31 : Renewal of national radio licences. This had no amendments, but Lord Clement-Jones argued that it should not be in the Bill - and, surprisingly, nobody agreed with him. Lord Howard of Rising said that the clause "enables the move to switchover at a later date, and it does not set in stone when the switchover will take place or indeed that it must happen", which he thought was very useful. The Lord Bishop of Manchester also supported the clause, saying that "not one digital radio station has yet posted a profit", so blocking an attempt to renew analogue radio wouldn't be a good idea. Lord Eatwell made his first appearance in the chamber as part of the consumer panel of Classic FM, and claimed that if the clause was removed, "the future of Classic FM will be severely compromised because it is a requirement of existing law that the analogue licences are auctioned" and that Classic FM has a 'non-speech' licence, which it might not get if and when it has to go digital.

Lord Clement-Jones was still not convinced, however. He insisted that they've missed the point, which is: "What is it about these extensions that will make those radio stations invest more when they migrate to digital? That is what it is all about".

Clause 31 passed - no amendments

Clause 32 : Renewal and variation of local radio licences, Clause 33 : Variation of licence period following renewal and Clause 34 : Content and character of local sound broadcasting services had no amendments, and thus, no debate.

Clause 32, 33, 34 passed - no amendments

Clause 35 : Local radio multiplex services: frequency and licensed area. Baroness Howe of Idlicote had a point to make regarding Northern Ireland not receiving commercial radio stations for some reason involving the Republic of Ireland. Lord Young insisted that the government sympathise with her concerns, but that the amendment she proposed wouldn't do the trick, so they'll go away and think about it.

Clause 35 passed - no amendments

Clause 36 : Renewal of radio multiplex licences. There was a very brief (and somewhat confusing) question on the clause, and neither I nor Lord Clement-Jones fully understood the government's response as to why the clause is necessary. Oh well.

Clause 36 passed - no amendments