HC Deb 08 December 1995 vol 268 cc416-7W
Mr. Austin Mitchell

To ask the Secretary of State for National Heritage how many representations she has received(a) in favour of and (b) against privatisation of BBC transmission facilities; and from whom. [3257]

Mr. Sproat

Since the publication of our 1988 White Paper, "Broadcasting in the '90s: Competition, Choice and Quality", in which were stated our intention to separate the provision of television services from their delivery, a number of representations have been received, both for and against privatisation, but details are not recorded in the form requested.

Mr. Mitchell

To ask the Secretary of State for National Heritage if she will make it her policy to retain a golden share in BBC transmission facilities. [3243]

Mr. Sproat

No.

Mr. Mitchell

To ask the Secretary of State for National Heritage if money raised by the privatisation of the BBC transmission facilities will be paid to the BBC. [3245]

Mr. Sproat

The net proceeds of sale of those transmission assets funded from the licence fee, which is the majority, will be available to the BBC, which is committed to investing them in digital production technology, while those from the sale of assets funded through grant-in-aid will return to the Exchequer.

Mr. Mitchell

To ask the Secretary of State for National Heritage if the BBC will be permitted to hire cheaper transmission facilities from other providers when its own transmission facilities are privatised. [3241]

Mr. Sproat

No decisions have been taken on the nature of future contracts with transmission providers for the services to the BBC.

Mr. Mitchell

To ask the Secretary of State for National Heritage to what extent the proportion of the BBC licence fee necessary to pay for the use of its transmitters when privatised will be geared to(a) inflation and (b) the actual transmission charges. [3244]

Mr. Sproat

There is no set proportion of the licence fee related to specific items of BBC expenditure. Changes in the licence fee up to and including 1996 have been set at the level of changes in the retail prices index, as announced by the then Secretary of State on 4 November 1993,>Official Report, column 309. The Government will determine the appropriate level for the licence fee in subsequent years in advance of the 1997 licence fee settlement, taking into account all relevant factors.