HC Deb 20 July 2001 vol 372 c740W
Harry Cohen

To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport when consumers will be able to choose the specific television channels they wish to purchase without having to take other channels as part of a package; and if she will make a statement. [4731]

Dr. Howells

As stated in the White Paper "A New Future for Communications", the Government are committed to ensuring that public service television channels are available to everyone, as now, free at the point of consumption, both before and after the switchover to digital television.

However, for other channels, it is up to the providing company to determine the arrangements for sale, subject to normal competition law.