§ Mr. MandelsonTo ask the Secretary of State for National Heritage what discussions he is undertaking with other European Community member states about mergers and takeovers of television companies, including issues of competition and regulation; what proposals have been made concerning these issues; and what position is taken on these proposals by Her Majesty's Government.
§ Mr. BrookeOfficials of my Department are playing an active part in the work of a Council of Europe committee of experts on media concentrations and pluralism, on which a number of other EC member states, as well as the European Commission, are represented. The committee has yet to produce firm proposals.
We have also drawn the Commission's attention to what appear to be. discriminatory provisions in the legislation of a number of EC member states concerning ownership of broadcasters. The European Court has recently found against Belgium on this issue; and the Commission has opened proceedings against Portugal.