HC Deb 16 February 2000 vol 344 cc544-5W
Mr. Baker

To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport what discussions he has had with the EU authorities on the framework for public financing for broadcasting with special reference to licence fee supplements. [110072]

Janet Anderson

[holding answer 14 February 2000]: My officials met Commission officials on 26 January, primarily to discuss the Commission's decision on BBC News 24. The various funding options identified in the report of the independent panel, chaired by Gavyn Davies, "Review of the Future Funding of the BBC", were briefly discussed.

Mr. Alan Simpson

To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport which(a) organisations and (b) individuals he has met to discuss broadcasting since 1 May 1997. [109995]

Janet Anderson

My right hon. Friend has discussed broadcasting with a wide range of organisations and individuals since 1 May 1997, and with many of them a number of times. Diary records are not kept by subject matter and it would not be possible to identify all such meetings, formal and informal, in order to provide the comprehensive list sought.