§ Mr. BakerTo ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport what plans he has to ensure that the BBC has access to all digital platforms on an equal basis and to ensure that such access is granted(a) on not-for-profit and (b) a free basis. [153276]
§ Janet Anderson[holding answer 12 March 2001]: None. Our White Paper "A New Future for Communications" made clear our policy that public service channels should be available on all main platforms at no extra cost to the viewer and we are currently considering the responses to our consultation on the White Paper on this issue, including views on the terms of access. BBC licence fee-funded television services are of course already available on the three main digital broadcasting platforms, terrestrial, cable and satellite, though the financial arrangements differ from platform to platform.