Broadcasting Act 1996

42 Licences under Part II. U.K.

(1) Any licence granted by [F1 OFCOM] under this Part shall be in writing and (subject to the provisions of this Part) shall continue in force for such period as is provided, in relation to a licence of the kind in question, by the relevant provision of this Part.

(2) [F2 OFCOM] —

(a) shall not grant a licence to any person unless they are satisfied that he is a fit and proper person to hold it, and

(b) shall do all that they can to secure that, if they cease to be so satisfied in the case of any person holding a licence, that person does not remain the holder of the licence;

and nothing in this Part shall be construed as affecting the operation of this subsection or of section 44(1) or (2)(b) or (c).

[F3 (3) OFCOM may vary a licence by a notice served on the licence holder.

(3A) OFCOM shall not vary—

(a) the period for which a licence having effect for a specified period is to continue in force, or

(b) increase the total amount of digital capacity specified in a national radio multiplex licence for the purposes of section 48(1A),

unless the licence holder consents.

(3B) OFCOM shall not make any other variation of a licence unless the licence holder has been given a reasonable opportunity of making representations to OFCOM about the variation.]

(4) [F4 Paragraph (a) of subsection (3A)] does not affect the operation of section 59(1)(b); and that subsection shall not authorise the variation of any condition included in a licence in pursuance of section 55(1).

(5) A licence granted to any person under this Part shall not be transferable to any other person without the previous consent in writing of [F5 OFCOM] .

(6) Without prejudice to the generality of subsection (5), [F6 OFCOM] shall not give their consent for the purposes of that subsection unless they are satisfied that any such other person would be in a position to comply with all of the conditions included in the licence which would have effect during the period for which it is to be in force.

[F7 (7) The holding of a licence by a person shall not relieve him—

(a) of any liability in respect of a failure to hold [F8 a licence under section 8 of the Wireless Telegraphy Act 2006] ; or

(b) of any obligation to comply with requirements imposed by or under Chapter 1 of Part 2 of the Communications Act 2003 (electronic communications networks and electronic communications services).]

Textual Amendments

F1 Words in s. 42(1) substituted (29.12.2003) by Communications Act 2003 (c. 21), s. 411(2), Sch. 15 para. 102(2) (with Sch. 18); S.I. 2003/3142, art. 3(1), Sch. 1 (with art. 11)

F2 Words in s. 42(2) substituted (29.12.2003) by Communications Act 2003 (c. 21), s. 411(2), Sch. 15 para. 102(3) (with Sch. 18); S.I. 2003/3142, art. 3(1), Sch. 1 (with art. 11)

F3 S. 42(3)-(3B) substituted for s. 42(3) (29.12.2003) by Communications Act 2003 (c. 21), s. 411(2), Sch. 15 para. 102(4) (with Sch. 18); S.I. 2003/3142, art. 3(1), Sch. 1 (with art. 11)

F4 Words in s. 42(4) substituted (29.12.2003) by Communications Act 2003 (c. 21), s. 411(2), Sch. 15 para. 102(5) (with Sch. 18); S.I. 2003/3142, art. 3(1), Sch. 1 (with art. 11)

F5 Words in s. 42(5) substituted (29.12.2003) by Communications Act 2003 (c. 21), s. 411(2), Sch. 15 para. 102(3) (with Sch. 18); S.I. 2003/3142, art. 3(1), Sch. 1 (with art. 11)

F6 Words in s. 42(6) substituted (29.12.2003) by Communications Act 2003 (c. 21), s. 411(2), Sch. 15 para. 102(3) (with Sch. 18); S.I. 2003/3142, art. 3(1), Sch. 1 (with art. 11)

F7 S. 42(7) substituted (29.12.2003) by Communications Act 2003 (c. 21), s. 411(2), Sch. 15 para. 102(6) (with Sch. 18); S.I. 2003/3142, art. 3(1), Sch. 1 (with art. 11)

F8 Words in s. 42(7)(a) substituted (8.2.2007) by Wireless Telegraphy Act 2006 (c. 36), s. 126(2), Sch. 7 para. 18