§ Mr. KaufmanTo ask the Secretary of State for National Heritage if she will list the relevant provisions in the BBC charter and licence and agreement which prevent the BBC from investing in its own decoder box for digital television. [7402]
§ Mr. SproatThere are no provisions in the BBC's charter or the agreement which prevent the corporation from investing in its own decoder for the reception of digital television and article 3(e) of the charter specifically enables the BBC to do so. However, the corporation would require my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State's approval under article 3(u) of the charter if it sought to establish any joint ventures or partnerships with other companies in relation to the production of set top boxes. My right. hon. Friend will consider any BBC requests to undertake such enterprises.