HC Deb 20 April 1998 vol 310 cc467-8
8. Mr. Tim Collins (Westmorland and Lonsdale)

What meetings he has held with representatives of News International in the last month to discuss cross-media ownership; and if he will make a statement. [37412]

The Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport (Mr. Chris Smith)

I have not held any meetings with News International to discuss this subject in the last month. I briefly met Mr. Rupert Murdoch and representatives from BSkyB—in which News International has a 40 per cent. holding—together with other key players in the European audio-visual industry, at the Birmingham audio-visual conference on 6 April.

Mr. Collins

Has the Minister or any of his officials ever discussed policy issues relating to News International with Mr. Tim Allan at No. 10 Downing street? Does he believe that 28-year-old Mr. Allan has been offered a salary of £100,000 a year because of his mastery of the motor scooter or because of his access to the heart of Government?

Mr. Dale Campbell-Savours (Workington)

The politics of envy.

Mr. Smith

The answer is no—I have never discussed such matters with Mr. Allan. That question, coming from a former Tory communications director, smacks a little of jealousy.

Mr. Denis MacShane (Rotherham)

Does my right hon. Friend welcome the statement that Mr. Murdoch made at the Birmingham conference, when he said that he looked forward to the day when Britain was fully integrated into Europe? Does my right hon. Friend agree that the traditional strength of the British audio-visual industry is such that it should be the leading player in Europe? Far from adopting the rather xenophobic protectionist line of Conservative Members—just sour milk because Rupert has gone off them—should we not be backing any British companies that promote British film and British media ownership across Europe and the rest of the world?

Mr. Smith

I did, indeed, note with considerable interest Mr. Murdoch's statement in his speech at the Birmingham conference, when he looked forward to the future integration of Europe. However, he made one or two other observations with which I could not agree, such as his attack on public service broadcasting. I tried to put the record right with a robust defence of public service broadcasting during my closing speech at the conference.

Mr. Francis Maude (Horsham)

At the time when the Prime Minister acceded to Mr. Murdoch's request to intervene with the Italian Prime Minister in favour of the recent BSkyB bid, did he know that his deputy press spokesman was already negotiating to take on a senior job with BSkyB? Was Mr. Allan the conduit for Mr. Murdoch's request for help? Were Cabinet Office officials consulted about his subsequent appointment? Did they know of any role that Mr. Allan played in the Prodi affair?

Mr. Smith

I think that most people are interested in rather more substantive issues, which include the matter on which Mr. Murdoch addressed the Birmingham conference last week. That related to the approval which I gave on 13 October last year for the start-up by the BBC of 24-hour news—something which Mr. Murdoch and BSkyB greatly resented.

Any charges that this Government give particular favours to particular media companies are completely false. We deal with each issue on its merits, as my decision in October shows.