§ Miss KirkbrideTo ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport (1) when he will begin his review of BBC Online; [132422]
(2) on what date his Department was informed of the free trials of BBC news on mobile telephony and ADSL services; [132424]
(3) if his Agreement with BBC Online permits the distribution of content free-of-charge to commercially-funded Internet portals; [132423]
(4) if he will publish his Department's 1998 Agreement with the BBC on BBC Online. [132421]
§ Janet AndersonA copy of my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State's approval to the BBC's proposals for BBC Online has been placed in the Library of the House. The BBC's formal request, to which the approval referred, has not been published because it contains confidential information. In relation to future approvals of BBC proposals for new public services, reasoned decisions will be published, under the new arrangements announced on 21 February.
Details of the review of BBC Online will be announced in due course.
My right hon. Friend the Secretary of State has not been requested by the BBC to consider whether the approval given in 1998 for BBC Online permits the distribution of content free-of-charge to commercially funded internet portals. It is for the BBC in the first instance to consider whether any further approval should be sought and for the BBC Governors to satisfy themselves that Charter obligations are being met. My right hon. Friend the 818W Secretary of State is not, therefore, in a position to take a view on the scope of the current approval unless and until such a request, including detailed information, is received.
The BBC informed the Department of the trials for the provision of BBC News content over mobile phones on 26 January 2000.