Commons Sense

House of Commons · Ministers' Questions

Topical Questions

Thursday 4 February 2021 · 9 questions

Summarised by AI from the official record, so it can contain mistakes.

Read the full transcript on Parliament.uk

At a glance

Answered 0 Partly answered 6 Not answered 0

Key points

  • Mary Glindon raised concerns about the fan-led review of football governance and the issue of online abuse, receiving assurances from the Secretary of State.
  • Saqib Bhatti welcomed to his place and the Minister for Media and Data's work on press freedoms was acknowledged.
  • Chris Matheson inquired about Ofcom's new responsibilities and the Secretary of State confirmed the imminent launch of the competition for the Ofcom chair role.

Topics (select to filter)

Questions & Answers

Q1 Mary Glindon Lab Newcastle upon Tyne East and Wallsend
Context

The ongoing takeover saga involving Newcastle United has raised concerns about football governance.

Question

The hopes and ambitions of thousands of Newcastle United fans for their great club are caught in limbo due to the ongoing takeover saga that the English Premier League helped to create. Can there be a more pressing reason for the Secretary of State to deliver the fan-led review of football governance promised in his party's 2019 manifesto?

Answer from Oliver Dowden

I reassure the hon. Lady that I remain firmly committed to the fan-led review, and events such as the meetings to discuss racism will help to frame it.

Partly answered

Not addressed: Specific timeline or concrete action for delivering the fan-led review was not provided

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Q2 Mary Glindon Lab Newcastle upon Tyne East and Wallsend
Culture, Media & Sport
Context

Social media users often face delays in responses from foreign-based teams when reporting online abuse.

Question

If I were to make a report of online abuse to a social media company, it is likely that a team halfway across the world would look at it and that I would not get a response for a few weeks. It may even not be classed as abuse because the team may not understand nuances in the English language. Does my right hon. Friend agree that it would be better for social media companies to use UK-based teams that understand nuances in the English language—what is abuse and what is not—and are therefore quicker in responding and perhaps more effective in stamping out online abuse and racism?

Answer from Oliver Dowden

My hon. Friend makes a very important point, and that is something that I have raised with social media companies.

Partly answered

Not addressed: Specific agreement or concrete action was not provided

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Q3 Saqib Bhatti Con Meriden and Solihull East
Culture, Media & Sport
Context

The Minister for Media and Data has been praised for his work on journalistic freedom.

Question

I am not quite sure about that yet, Mr Speaker, but thank you for the introduction. The Minister for Media and Data, the right hon. Member for Maldon (Mr Whittingdale), who is not in his place this morning, has rightly won praise for his work on journalistic freedom and the protection of journalists, so may I ask the Secretary of State what advice he would give to fellow Ministers who respond to standard queries from journalists with public attacks and Twitter pile-ons?

Answer from Oliver Dowden

May I begin by welcoming the hon. Gentleman to his place and, on behalf of the whole Conservative party, wishing the hon. Member for Cardiff Central (Jo Stevens) a swift recovery? The hon. Gentleman mentions press freedoms. I have been working closely with my right hon. Friend the Minister for Media.

Not addressed: The question was about advice to Ministers but the answer shifted focus to greetings and press freedoms

How: Greetings, Shifting Topic

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Q4 Chris Matheson Lab
Culture, Media & Sport Science & Technology
Context

Ofcom is set to become a super-regulator with broad responsibilities.

Question

I thank the Secretary of State for his kind words about my hon. Friend the Member for Cardiff Central (Jo Stevens); she will be watching and will be very grateful. Ofcom is to become a super-regulator with a huge breadth of responsibilities and all their technical complexities, particularly in the digital sphere: online harms and safety, the BBC and broadcasting in general, security of telecoms infrastructure against hostile threats, broadband, and the Post Office. Does the Secretary of State agree that the new chair of Ofcom should have at least some knowledge of and experience in those complex sectors in order to be appointed?

Answer from Oliver Dowden

As the hon. Gentleman will know, the position of Ofcom chair is vacant. I can update the House that I will shortly be launching the competition for that new role.

Partly answered

Not addressed: Specific agreement or concrete action regarding knowledge and experience was not provided

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Q5 Chris Matheson Lab
Culture, Media & Sport
Context

There are concerns about the enforcement of advertising restrictions on products high in fat, sugar, and salt.

Question

I have grave concerns about restricting the advertising of products that are high in fat, sugar and salt, because I am not convinced that a level playing field on enforcement can be achieved between broadcasters and online platforms. How does my right hon. Friend plan to make such platforms legally responsible under statutory rules for ensuring that advertising for food and drink that is high in fat, sugar and salt does not appear online?

Answer from Oliver Dowden

My hon. Friend raises an important point. I have been clear from the beginning in my discussions with the Prime Minister and others that we must ensure equivalence between the approaches to traditional broadcasting platforms and online.

Partly answered

Not addressed: Specific statutory rules or concrete actions were not provided

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Q6 Craig Whittaker Con
Asylum & Refugees Democracy & Elections
Context

A freelance photographer and National Union of Journalists member was arrested following reporting on a demonstration.

Question

In the light of the arrest of freelance photographer and National Union of Journalists member Andy Aitchison following his reporting on a demonstration at Napier barracks in Kent, what steps is the Secretary of State taking to prevent undue interference with the freedom of the press to freely report on the conditions in which asylum seekers are held?

Answer from Oliver Dowden

Freedom of expression is one of the cherished liberties that we have fought for, and one that Members of this House have defended for generations. I fully intend to continue to promote freedom of expression.

Not addressed: No specific steps or concrete actions were provided regarding protecting journalists' freedom of expression

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Q7 Kevin Hollinrake Con Thirsk and Malton
Crime & Law Enforcement Culture, Media & Sport
Context

Concern about financial scams promoted on social media platforms like Facebook and Google, affecting people with limited resources. The question references the upcoming online harms legislation.

Question

Many people suffer online harms due to financial scams on platforms such as Facebook and Google. Will my right hon. Friend include protections against these in his forthcoming online harms legislation?

Answer from Oliver Dowden

Like my hon. Friend, I am deeply concerned about the growth of online fraud and we are working closely with industry and law enforcement to disrupt those committing crimes online. While the online harms legislation will focus on user-generated content, we are also determined to tackle fraud such as phishing and fake websites.

Partly answered

Not addressed: Specific inclusion in the legislation is not directly addressed.

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Q8 Patrick Grady SNP
Culture, Media & Sport
Context

The Celtic Connections festival was held virtually with success, but the question is about ensuring visa-free travel for world-class artists to perform in front of live audiences.

Question

Will there be progress on ensuring visa-free travel for our world-class artists so they can perform in front of live audiences?

Answer from Oliver Dowden

I join the hon. Gentleman in congratulating Celtic Connections on its virtual festival success, but it is a bit rich for the Scottish nationalist party to talk about blame games; they are virtually its raison d'être.

Not addressed: Progress on visa-free travel was not addressed.

How: Blame Game, Disparaging Comments

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Q9 Mark Pawsey Con
Culture, Media & Sport
Context

The Six Nations rugby tournament is starting without fans in the stadium, but at club level matches are not allowed. The question seeks plans to get players back on the pitch as soon as it's safe.

Question

What plans does the Minister have to encourage players of all sports to get back on the pitch just as soon as it is safe?

Answer from Oliver Dowden

We very much regret that there will not be fans at the Six Nations tournament, but we understand the reasons why. We are taking decisive action to maintain this national lockdown, but working to get fans back in stadiums as soon as it is safe.

Partly answered

Not addressed: Specific plans for getting players and fans back were not detailed.

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