§ Mr. ReedTo ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport what representations he has received about the England v. Australia Rugby Union international on Saturday 15 November not being available live to terrestrial viewers.[16569]
§ Mr. FisherMr right hon. Friend the Secretary of State has received one representation on the subject of the coverage of this particular match. He has received eight representations on the subject of the coverage of England Rugby Union matches in general. This match was shown live by BSkyB under the terms of its contract with the English Rugby Football Union. Coverage of the whole match was transmitted by ITV later on the same afternoon, and I understand that this will be the arrangement for television coverage of all home England internationals until 2001.