§ Mr. Peter AinsworthTo ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport (1) what assessment he has made of the impact of a digital television licence fee on the take-up of digital television services; [102416]
(2) what assessment he has made of the impact of a digital television licence fee on levels of commercial investment in digital television technology; [102415]
(3) what assessment he has made of the effect of a digital television licence fee on the receipts from the sale of analogue broadcasting spectrum; [102410]
(4) what assessment he has made of the effect of a digital television licence fee on levels of commercial investment in digital television technology; [102414]
(5) what assessment he has made of the effect of a flat rate digital television licence fee on the effectiveness of Government policies to encourage social inclusion; [102413]
(6) what assessment he has made of the effect of a digital television licence fee on the proposed date for analogue switch off; [102412]
(7) what assessment he has made of the effect of a digital television licence fee on receipts from the sale of analogue broadcasting spectrum. [102411]
§ Mr. Chris Smith[holding answer 13 December 1999]: The Government will consider all the arguments for and against a digital licence supplement, including the responses to the public consultation and the wider policy implications, before reaching any decision on the recommendation of the Davies report. We shall announce our conclusions in January.