§ Mr. WhittingdaleTo ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport (1) what consultations took place before the decision was taken to lift the restriction 229W on the number of digital channels operated by BBC Worldwide through UKTV; and what the outcome was; [80430]
(2)what publicity was given to the decision to lift the restriction on the number of digital channels operated by BBC Worldwide through UKTV; [80437]
(3)when the restriction on the number of digital channels operated by BBC Worldwide through UKTV was lifted; and for what reason. [80426]
§ Dr. HowellsThe restriction to the number of channels that UKTV can launch under the first and second joint ventures, which were approved in 1997, has not been lifted, but the third and fourth joint ventures, which were approved in 2000, are not subject to a restriction. As BBC commercial service approvals, the joint ventures were not subject to consultation, nor were they publicised
§ Mr. WhittingdaleTo ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport if she will list the digital channels operated by BBC Worldwide, through UKTV, which have been given approval by her Department. [80427]
§ Dr. HowellsBBC Worldwide's joint ventures with Flextech have been subject to my right hon. Friend's approval, but the commercial channels launched by UKTV under the terms of those joint ventures are not.
§ Mr. WhittingdaleTo ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport what steps she has taken to ensure that digital channels operated by BBC Worldwide through UKTV do not unfairly compete with existing commercial channels. [80428]
§ Dr. HowellsIt is a condition of the joint ventures under which UKTV channels operate that they must abide fully by the BBC's fair trading commitment, the commercial policy guidelines and all the requirements of EU and UK competition law. They are also subject to external audit by independent fair trading auditors and to the UK and EU competition authorities.
§ Mr. WhittingdaleTo ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport what measures she has taken to ensure that the BBC's programmes do not adversely affect existing commercial(a) radio and (b) television channels. [80432]
§ Dr. HowellsThe BBC's licence fee funded services are distinct from the BBC's commercial services. The market impact of any new BBC licence fee funded service is one of the factors the Secretary of State must consider in her assessment of a proposal. This is not the case for BBC commercial services. However, BBC commercial services must comply with EU and UK competition law, as well as the BBC's Fair Trading Commitment and the Commercial Policy Guidelines.
§ Mr. WhittingdaleTo ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport what her policy is on the future financing of the BBC. [80433]
§ Dr. HowellsI have no plans to change the current financing arrangements for the BBC, but funding will be looked at as part of the process of reviewing the BBC's Charter, which expires in 2006
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§ Mr. WhittingdaleTo ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport whether the relationship between BBC Worldwide and Flextech has been scrutinised by the BBC's external auditors. [80438]
§ Dr. HowellsYes. The relationship between BBC Worldwide and Flextech is subject to scrutiny by the BBC's external auditors.
§ Mr. WhittingdaleTo ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport (1) what measures she is taking to ensure that the BBC abides by the Fair Trading Commitment; [80439]
(2) whether OFCOM will have responsibility for ensuring that the BBC abides by its Fair Trading Commitment; and if she will make a statement. [80440]
§ Dr. HowellsThe BBC's Fair Trading Commitment is an internal compliance document and, therefore, will continue to be regulated by the BBC Board of Governors. OFCOM will have concurrent powers (with OFT) to apply competition law to broadcasting and related activities. This applies to the BBC, as to other broadcasting organisations.
§ Mr. WyattTo ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport if she will place in the Library a copy of the documents issued in November 2000 that gave permission for the BBC to extend its range of new channels with Telewest under the UKTV joint venture. [81827]
§ Dr. HowellsApprovals given for BBC Worldwide's commercial activities contain commercially sensitive information and therefore cannot be placed in the Library. The restriction to the number of channels that UKTV can launch under the first and second joint ventures, which were approved in 1997, has not been lifted but the third and fourth joint ventures, which were approved in 2000, are not subject to a restriction.