HC Deb 16 July 2001 vol 372 cc55-6W
Mr. Peter Ainsworth

To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport what measures she has taken to ensure transparency and public accountability in the process of determining approvals for proposed new BBC digital services. [2412]

Tessa Jowell

[holding answer 5 July 2001]The criteria against which I will be considering the BBC's new digital services are set out in the Department's guidelines for assessing BBC public service proposals; these include a requirement for interested parties to be consulted so that their representations can be taken into account. The guidelines were published on 10 January. Copies were placed in the Libraries of both Houses.

Mr. Peter Ainsworth

To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport what estimate she has made of the effect on the level of take up of digital television of proposed new BBC digital services. [2416]

Tessa Jowell

[holding answer 5 July 2001]I am in the process of considering all relevant aspects of the BBC's new digital service proposals and responses to the Government's consultation on these.

Mr. Peter Ainsworth

To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport what evidence she has received from the BBC that the Corporation's proposed new digital services will enhance the take up of digital television. [2409]

Tessa Jowell

[holding answer 5 July 2001]The BBC state, in their application and the additional information supplied in May (available on the DCMS website), that their evidence (eg their consultation report) bears out the report submitted to the Licence Fee Review Panel in 1999. This report concluded that licence fee funded digital services have the potential of significantly increasing digital take up.

Mr. Mark Field

To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport when she intends to announce her decision on the applications of the BBC to run(a) a new children's television channel and (b) Network Z. [4256]

Dr. Howells

The consultation period for the new BBC digital services proposals has been extended to 27 July. My right hon. Friend the Secretary of State therefore hopes to be able to make an announcement about her decision in late August/early September.