HC Deb 17 January 1995 vol 252 cc392-3W
Mr. Timms

To ask the President of the Board of Trade what was the initial cash bid received from each cable franchisee awarded a cable franchise under the Broadcasting Act 1990.

Mr. Ian Taylor

The initial cash bids for the West Kent and the Blackpool and Fylde franchises were £1,600,210.75 and £762,000 respectively.

Mr. Timms

To ask the President of the Board of Trade how many cable franchises have been awarded under the Broadcasting Act 1990 in each year since the Act became law.

Mr. Ian Taylor

Two local delivery franchises have been awarded since the Broadcasting Act became law. Both were awarded during 1994, the first for the West Kent franchise, awarded on 19 May, and the second for the Blackpool and Fylde franchise, on 15 September.

Mr. Timms

To ask the President of the Board of Trade how much revenue has been derived from cable franchisees in(a) application fees and (b) tender payments in each year since the enactment of the Broadcasting Act 1990.

Mr. Ian Taylor

The application fee for the two franchises which have so far been awarded was £15,000 each. No tender payments have yet been made.