HL Deb 22 March 2001 vol 623 cc178-9WA
Lord Cocks of Hartcliffe

asked Her Majesty's Government:

How many representations the Department for Culture, Media and Sport has received from the commercial sector concerning the BBC's proposed new digital channels for television (a) in written form, (b) through formal ministerial meetings, or (c) through informal ministerial meetings; and which companies were involved on each case. [HL1158]

Lord McIntosh of Haringey

The department has received the following 38 written representations, including a number from commercial organisations:

  • Artsworld Channels Ltd
  • Broadcasters Entertainment Cinematograph & Theatre Union
  • Broadcasting Standards Commission
  • BSkyB
  • Carlton Communication PLC
  • Channel 4
  • Channel 5
  • Children 2000
  • Chrysalis Radio
  • Commercial Radio Companies Association
  • Deaf Broadcasting Council
  • Digital Open
  • Discovery Network Europe
  • Fox Kids Europe Ltd
  • Granada plc
  • Greater London Authority
  • WA 179
  • GWR Group
  • History Channel
  • Independent Television Commission
  • ITV Network
  • Kashmiri Association of Viewers and Listeners
  • MTV Networks International
  • Musician's Union
  • MXR Limited
  • National Consumer Council
  • National Union of Journalists
  • Nickelodeon
  • NMP—Anti Racist Trust
  • National Viewers & Listeners Association
  • Ondigital
  • Producers Alliance for Cinema and Television
  • Performance—The Arts Channel
  • Public Voice
  • Radio Authority
  • Telewest
  • Turner Broadcasting System International
  • Walt Disney Television Channel
  • Voice of the Listener and Viewer

My right honourable friend the Secretary of State met delegations of commercial companies on 21 February and 12 March to hear their views on the BBC's proposals.

  • 21 February
  • Artsworld
  • BSkyB
  • Discovery Networks Europe
  • MTV Networks Europe
  • Nickelodeon
  • Telewest
  • Turner Broadcasting System International Commercial Radio Companies Association Performance
  • 12 March
  • Choice FM
  • Chysalis Radio
  • Commercial Radio Companies Association

There have been no informal ministerial meetings.

Lord Cocks of Hartcliffe

asked Her Majesty's Government:

Whether they accept that the provision of new public service, licence fee funded, digital channels could affect the take-up of digital television and radio throughout the United Kingdom. [HL1162]

Lord McIntosh of Haringey

As my right honourable friend the Secretary of State made clear on 21 February 2000 when announcing the outcome of the BBC funding review, the Government accept the Davies Panel's view that the provision by the BBC of high quality free-to-air digital services could affect the take-up of digital television. We believe this is equally true of digital radio.