Terrestrial Television (Hansard, 15 December 1997)

§ Mr. Vaz
To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport when he will announce the outcome of his review into the listing of sports events for broadcast on domestic terrestrial television. [20380]

§ Mr. Chris Smith
I expect the advisory group to make its recommendations to me on the content of the list before Easter 1998, and I hope to announce the outcome of the review shortly thereafter.

§ Mr. Vaz
To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport what representations he has received in respect of the listing and de-listing of sports events for terrestrial television. [20378]

§ Mr. Chris Smith
I have received 776 representations on this subject since the review of the content of the list was announced in May, including 28 representations from hon. Members. The majority of these representations concerned the television coverage of particular sports events.

§ Mr. Vaz
To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport when he last met Lord MacLaurin to discuss the listing of cricket for broadcast on terrestrial television. [20379]

§ Mr. Chris Smith
When I met Lord MacLaurin on 18 August, he raised the question of the inclusion of Test cricket among the events listed under Part IV of the Broadcasting Act 1996. I shall be meeting him again on 18 December. The England and Wales Cricket Board has also been consulted as part of my review, and its response will be made available to the advisory group assisting me in that review.

§ Mr. Vaz
To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport if he will make a statement on the Government's policy in respect of the listing of sports events for terrestrial television. [20381]

§ Mr. Chris Smith
I announced the criteria to be used to guide the review on 25 November. An advisory group is considering the events currently listed, and the additional major sports events announced on that day, against these criteria. As part of the review, I have consulted the rights holders for all the events under consideration; broadcast regulators and other interested parties on the content of the list, and their responses will be made available to the advisory group.