Commons Sense

House of Commons · Ministers' Questions

Topical Questions

Thursday 26 May 2022 · 8 questions

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

Read the full transcript on Parliament.uk

At a glance

Answered 2 Partly answered 4 Not answered 0

Key points

  • The House of Commons Library confirms that the majority of Rob Roberts' Delyn constituency is in the worst 30% for connectivity in the UK, with over 10% of constituents receiving less than 10 megabits per second broadband speeds.
  • The Minister for Sport, the Under-Secretary of State, and the Minister for Media, Data and Digital Infrastructure would be happy to meet Rob Roberts to discuss Scottish fans' need for multiple platforms to watch UK sports.
  • Greg Smith asked the Secretary of State to ensure the availability of sufficient clean spectrum for programme making and special events after 2030 to support the use of radio microphones in the entertainment and film industry.

Topics (select to filter)

Questions & Answers

Q1 Rob Roberts
Wales Science & Technology
Context

The MP seeks clarity on her department's responsibilities, especially in light of connectivity issues affecting constituents.

Question

If she will make a statement on her departmental responsibilities. The House of Commons Library confirms that the majority of my Delyn constituency is in the worst 30% for connectivity in the UK, with more than 10% of my constituents still receiving less than 10 megabits per second broadband speeds.

Answer from Nadine Dorries (Secretary of State for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport)

Responses to the recent Welsh market review are being assessed to determine which premises require Government subsidy through Project Gigabit. We will then work out with the Welsh Government how to provide gigabit coverage to as many premises as possible. Further support is available through our gigabit broadband voucher scheme and those unable to access at least 10 megabits per second may be able to request an upgrade through the universal service obligation.

Partly answered

Not addressed: The specific timeline or detailed measures for addressing poor connectivity in Delyn were not provided.

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Q2 Rob Roberts
Culture, Media & Sport
Context

The MP highlights the disparity in football broadcasting between England and Scotland, where fans are required to subscribe to multiple platforms to follow their national teams.

Question

I congratulate St Johnstone on their emphatic premiership play-off win last week and wish Scotland good luck next week against Ukraine. With the awarding of Scottish, Welsh and Northern Irish TV rights to Premier Sports and Viaplay, Scottish fans will have to subscribe to four different platforms to follow the game. England fans are able to watch their men's national team free to air through ITV and now Channel 4. Will the Secretary of State meet me to discuss how we can address this inequity without harming Scottish football's financial situation?

Answer from Nadine Dorries (Secretary of State for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport)

I thank the hon. Gentleman for that question. The Minister for Sport, the Under-Secretary of State, my hon. Friend the Member for Mid Worcestershire (Nigel Huddleston), and, I think, probably the Minister for Media, Data and Digital Infrastructure would be happy to meet him to discuss that.

Answered
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Q3 Gavin Newlands SNP
Culture, Media & Sport
Context

The MP references a Channel 4 consultation where 96% of respondents opposed privatisation. She stresses the importance of Channel 4 in driving the independent sector and its economy.

Question

Further to the comments made by the hon. Member for Manchester Central (Lucy Powell), 96% of the people who responded to the Channel 4 consultation did not support privatisation. Having worked directly in the independent sector with a Channel 4-backed project, I saw for myself the importance of the drive that Channel 4 brings to that particular market, which is vital to our economy. There is no support in the creative sector for privatising Channel 4. Can the Government please explain why they are not paying attention and are determined to privatise Channel 4?

Answer from Nadine Dorries (Secretary of State for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport)

Some 53% of people in a public poll actually thought that Channel 4 was already privately owned. They did not realise—[Interruption.] As my hon. Friend the Minister for Media, Data and Digital Infrastructure has already said, we have to address a rapidly changing broadcasting landscape in the UK at the moment. It is a bad business model for any organisation to depend on one form of revenue.

Partly answered

Not addressed: The reasons behind the decision were not clearly explained and there was no commitment to reconsider based on public opinion.

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Q4 Greg Smith Con Mid Buckinghamshire
Culture, Media & Sport Science & Technology
Context

The MP raises concerns about the availability of clean spectrum after 2030 to support radio microphones in the entertainment and film industry.

Question

How can my right hon. Friend ensure the availability of sufficient clean spectrum for programme making and special events, or PMSE, after 2030 to support the use of radio microphones in our vibrant entertainment and film industry?

Answer from Julia Lopez (Minister for Arts

We are in regular contact with Ofcom and the radio industry on these issues, and I would be happy to meet my hon. Friend to discuss the matter further, so that I understand the interest driving his question.

Not addressed: The actual measures for ensuring sufficient clean spectrum were not addressed; instead an invitation for a meeting was provided.

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Q5 Christine Jardine Lib Dem Edinburgh West
Culture, Media & Sport
Context

The MP welcomes the Government's intention to strengthen protections for legitimate journalism in the Online Safety Bill and asks about progress.

Question

I welcome the Government's intention to strengthen the protections for legitimate journalism in the Online Safety Bill, but can my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State say when those clauses will be brought forward? Will she extend them to cover specialist publications?

Answer from Chris Philp (Minister for Media, Data and Digital Infrastructure)

I thank my right hon. Friend for his question and his long-standing interest in this area. Clause 50 of the Online Safety Bill already exempts recognised news publishers from the provisions of the Bill, and in clause 16 there are particular protections for content of journalistic importance.

Partly answered

Not addressed: The specific timeline or extension to specialist publications was not addressed.

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Q6 Tan Dhesi Lab Slough
Culture, Media & Sport
Context

The issue of breadcrumbing, where abusers move children between platforms to cause harm, is widespread. The Online Safety Bill's effectiveness in addressing this issue has been questioned.

Question

I am concerned about the issue of breadcrumbing, whereby abusers move children from one platform to another to cause them harm. Can the Secretary of State explain exactly how the Government will prevent this abuse through the Online Safety Bill?

Answer from Nadine Dorries

The Under-Secretary of State for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport is looking at other platforms where harm exists, including practices like those mentioned. The Government aims to reduce as much harm as possible within the Bill while protecting freedoms of speech and democratic content.

Partly answered

Not addressed: Specific measures or commitments on how the Online Safety Bill will prevent breadcrumbing were not provided.

How: Cannot Fix Everything On The Internet, Open To Discussions

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Q7 Michael Fabricant Con
Culture, Media & Sport
Context

The sale of Channel 4 is under consideration, with concerns about maintaining British content and public service broadcasting requirements.

Question

Subject to certain conditions, I support the sale of Channel 4. Will my right hon. Friend confirm that any sell-off will be subject to requirements for minimum British content, news content, and innovative programming?

Answer from Nadine Dorries

Channel 4 will be sold as a public service broadcaster with criteria for distinctive British content, including provisions on prominence and broadcasting codes to level the playing field for all broadcasters.

Answered
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Q8 Kate Osborne Lab Jarrow and Gateshead East
Women & Equalities
Context

The north-east of England has not been selected to host any games in the upcoming women's European soccer championship, despite significant fan disappointment.

Question

I am disappointed that the north-east will not be home to any 2022 women's Euro football matches. Can the Secretary of State explain why this is and what benefits people from Jarrow and the north-east will gain from the tournament?

Answer from Nigel Huddleston

The decision to host events is made by organising authorities, but Government works to level up sporting opportunities across the country. The Secretary of State is sorry about this disappointment and willing to discuss future opportunities.

Not addressed: Specific reasons for not hosting games in the north-east were not provided.

How: Decisions Are Not Made Directly By Government, Level Up Sporting Opportunities

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