HC Deb 31 March 1994 vol 240 cc969-70W
Mr. Barry Porter

To ask the Secretary of State for National Heritage if he will publish the full terms of reference for the review of cross-media ownership.

Mr. Sproat

My right hon. Friend announced on 3 January that the review will examine the rules which restrict ownership between newspapers, television companies and radio stations, in the context of fundamental changes taking place in the media industries throughout the world. The review will see whether those rules strike a satisfactory balance. In doing so they will be looking at the need for diversity and choice for audiences, while encouraging United Kingdom interests to play an active part in national and international markets.

Mr. Barry Porter

To ask the Secretary of State for National Heritage what studies his Department has made of the differing cross-media ownership regulations within the EU; and what conclusions those studies have reached.

Mr. Sproat

My Department has made no formal studies, but closely follows cross-media ownership issues elsewhere. It is taking part in discussions within the EU on the Commission's Green Paper on "Pluralism and Media Concentration in the Internal Market", a copy of which is available in the Library. This contains detailed information about the regulations which apply in all member states.

Mr. Barry Porter

To ask the Secretary of State for National Heritage, pursuant to his answer of 4 March to the hon. Member for Wansdyke (Mr. Aspinwall),Official Report, column 924, if he will place the representations made to the cross-media ownership review team in the Library.

Mr. Sproat

I have no plans to do so, as this raises issues of commercial confidentiality. It remains open to the originators to make their representations public if they choose.

Mr. Barry Porter

To ask the Secretary of State for National Heritage if he will complete his review of cross-media ownership by the end of July; and when he will make an announcement on the way forward.

Mr. Sproat

I would like to see this review concluded as rapidly as possible. An interdepartmental group of officials is due to make recommendations to Ministers in the summer. The timing of an announcement will, however, depend on many factors, including the nature of those recommendations and any legislative implications.