§ Mr. BakerTo ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport if he will list those who have been formally invited to make submissions in respect of the forthcoming White Paper on broadcasting and telecommunications. [129686]
§ Janet Anderson[holding answer 7 July 2000]: My right hon. Friend has, in conjunction with the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry, sought views on the White Paper in a number of ways. The scope of the White Paper was announced to the House on 3 February 2000, Official Report, columns 729W and 668W. On 19 April 2000, Official Report, columns 499W and 548w, my right hon. Friends announced to the House that all views should be submitted in writing or via e-mail by 23 June and officials wrote on the same day inviting submissions from stakeholders in industry and related organisations, identified from those who had contributed to recent consultations on the topic. Details were widely publicised including on the official White Paper website (www.communicationswhitepaper.gov.uk). Further copies of the letter were sent out on request, to a total of 287 organisations and individuals. A list of their names has been placed in the Library.
As my right hon. Friends announced on 17 May 2000, Official Report, columns 125W and 131W, they also invited a number of experts to prepare papers and these were discussed at a seminar on 3 July. The expert team consisted of Sir Quentin Thomas (chair), David Cleevely, Liz Forgan, Andrew Graham, Janice Hughes, Mark Oliver, Damian Tambini and George Yarrow. The papers, with the report of the seminar's Chair, are also posted on the website, and copies have been placed in the Library, as announced on 21 July 2000, Official Report, columns 361W and 343W.