:00:09. > :00:14.Good morning and welcome to live coverage from the House of Commons.
:00:14. > :00:18.There are two urgent questions. First on Southern Cross and the
:00:18. > :00:23.second is on the plans to turn the worst performing primary school us
:00:23. > :00:28.into academies. Sir George Young will announce the upcoming business
:00:28. > :00:32.in that chamber and George Osborne will make a statement on banking
:00:32. > :00:37.reform and the Government's plans to sell off Northern Rock. They
:00:37. > :00:47.will debate the Armed Forces Bill at third reading. Join me for a
:00:47. > :00:57.round-up of the day in the The Record tonight. First, questions
:00:57. > :01:10.
:01:10. > :01:13.for the Secretary of State for Order, order. Questions for the
:01:13. > :01:17.Secretary of State for Culture Olympics Media and Sport.
:01:17. > :01:22.provisions relating to the on line infringement of copyright have been
:01:22. > :01:27.subject to a review. We hope to announce a new timetable for
:01:27. > :01:35.implementation of their measures shortly. We hope the obligations
:01:35. > :01:39.would be fair and effective. Before the general election, his junior
:01:39. > :01:43.coalition partners campaigned fiercely to oppose Blair but
:01:43. > :01:48.disconnection as part of the Act pledging to take disconnection of
:01:48. > :01:51.the statute book. Now the coalition Government are looking to see if
:01:51. > :01:54.the provisions are technically unworkable. Does that mean the
:01:54. > :02:04.Government are OK with the principle of internet disconnection
:02:04. > :02:05.
:02:05. > :02:10.and what other -- and what are the findings? I think the honourable
:02:10. > :02:20.gentleman is referring to the provisions to block websites. As he
:02:20. > :02:21.
:02:21. > :02:24.quite rightly said, Ofcom have repaired -- prepared a report.
:02:24. > :02:31.Would the Minister join with me in congratulating that great academic
:02:31. > :02:39.centre of learning, Bournemouth University. They have expanded
:02:39. > :02:45.their digital economy steadies. -- studies. Half the people that
:02:45. > :02:51.worked on the film, avatar, are graduates of Bournemouth University.
:02:51. > :02:56.I would certainly join him in congratulating them. I have visited
:02:56. > :03:02.Bournemouth University when I was the opposition spokesman. I am
:03:02. > :03:09.happy to join him in congratulating them. It is over a year since this
:03:09. > :03:13.House back to the economy Act bed days no sign of the measures being
:03:13. > :03:18.implemented. Why doesn't he faced down his critics and put in a
:03:18. > :03:24.programme and get this Act implemented? That is what we intend
:03:24. > :03:28.to do. Further to the minister's early answer, the Lib Dems argues
:03:28. > :03:33.that the proposals in relation to wear but blocking wouldn't work.
:03:33. > :03:38.Has the Minister come to the same conclusion and will he accept it is
:03:38. > :03:45.vital we find ways of protecting the I P of creators from illegal
:03:45. > :03:51.websites? Can he tell us what will happen? We will announce our
:03:51. > :03:55.proposals shortly and we asked Ofcom to give an indication --
:03:55. > :04:04.independent report to block websites. We will publish that
:04:04. > :04:10.following that report. I am grateful. We have implemented
:04:10. > :04:18.the electron met -- electronic communications framework relating
:04:18. > :04:22.to disabilities. We continued to work closely with of, and we fully
:04:22. > :04:27.support their current review of really services for deaf and
:04:27. > :04:34.hearing impaired telecoms users, including British sign language
:04:34. > :04:42.users. Deaf connections tummy there is an urgent need to introduce
:04:42. > :04:47.video relay technology to create access to kept -- telecoms. Ofcom
:04:47. > :04:57.are about to publish their 11th communication looking at this issue.
:04:57. > :04:59.
:04:59. > :05:04.We he meet with of comp to discuss the progress for users? If -- and
:05:04. > :05:12.will he meet. It is not strictly accurate to say this is the 11th
:05:12. > :05:18.Ofcom review. We look forward to that review and may well be
:05:18. > :05:25.publishing a consultation document in the summer. -- they will be
:05:25. > :05:31.publishing. I thank the Minister. Excuse me,
:05:32. > :05:37.number three. I will answer this question with Question 9 and 16.
:05:37. > :05:42.When we came to office 230 million had been allocated to broadband
:05:43. > :05:46.roll-out. That has been increased to 830 million. It is still not
:05:46. > :05:53.enough thought we are determined to do what we can. If I know the
:05:53. > :05:58.people of Wiltshire welcome the fact they are to receive money. The
:05:59. > :06:05.high-speed super-fast broadband raises the spectre and parents are
:06:05. > :06:15.worried that children will be able to access inappropriate material
:06:15. > :06:16.
:06:16. > :06:19.much easier. Is he prepared to regulate to keep our children safe?
:06:19. > :06:24.I can confirm that the Government takes this issue incredibly
:06:24. > :06:29.seriously. The Bailey review on the socialisation of youth is one
:06:29. > :06:33.indication. We have a meeting with the trade body this week to take
:06:34. > :06:37.the issue further. We believe strongly that internet service
:06:37. > :06:44.providers need to behave in a socially responsible way to do what
:06:44. > :06:48.they can to protect children. We support what she's saying. What
:06:48. > :06:53.assessment has the Minister made of how the roll-out of super-fast
:06:53. > :06:59.broadband could support the introduction of universal and the R
:06:59. > :07:06.S, video relay service, which will ensure deaf sign language jewellers
:07:06. > :07:15.-- Duke -- users can have access? Those kind of services are exactly
:07:15. > :07:20.the reason why it is important that we have a very ambitious programme.
:07:20. > :07:25.Ofcom art reviewing the matter he talks about during the summer. I
:07:25. > :07:32.would urge him in encouraging the party opposite to get behind the
:07:32. > :07:41.agenda for super-fast broadband. They are committed to super-fast
:07:41. > :07:45.broadband. In a small village in my constituency, a local organisation
:07:45. > :07:51.has ensured 200 subscribers receive broad bands using a microwave
:07:51. > :08:00.network. Would my honourable friend confirm that under UK funding
:08:00. > :08:05.guidelines, such technology will be covered for villages? It I am
:08:05. > :08:09.prepared to confirm that. Our policy is technology neutral. We
:08:09. > :08:19.are asking local authorities to come forward with a broad and plan
:08:19. > :08:26.that will secure 100 % coverage. -- broadband plan. How they do that
:08:26. > :08:30.what is up to them. 8% of constituents are living in spots
:08:30. > :08:40.where they have no broadband access at all and 13 % in houses where
:08:40. > :08:44.
:08:44. > :08:49.there is less than to make a Many consumers of removing their
:08:49. > :08:52.lines and using mobile telephone need to access the internet. I've
:08:53. > :09:02.written to the Secretary of State to say that because of the delay to
:09:02. > :09:05.the spectrum, there is a loss to the Exchequer of �316 million.
:09:05. > :09:10.Given that O'Toole are threatening action, is the Secretary of State
:09:10. > :09:15.going to consider it using his powers to make sure this happens
:09:15. > :09:25.sooner rather than later? We are committed to proceeding with the
:09:25. > :09:27.
:09:27. > :09:35.auction is as soon as possible. Another point, we think that mobile
:09:35. > :09:40.is going to play and -- a vital part in super-fast broadband. The
:09:40. > :09:44.amount of internet mobile data is tripling every year. We need to get
:09:44. > :09:54.their mobile data to a fixed line. As quickly as possible if we are
:09:54. > :09:56.
:09:56. > :09:58.going to deal with the 26 fold increase in mobile internet data.
:09:58. > :10:03.The Secretary of State clarified that the 530 million from central
:10:03. > :10:07.Government will have to be matched by local authorities for the roll-
:10:07. > :10:14.out of super-fast broadband. Can who say where he expects this money
:10:14. > :10:19.to come from and whether this will be enough to deliver 90 % of super-
:10:19. > :10:24.fast broadband? We have done a scientific study which we will be
:10:24. > :10:29.publishing shortly which shows the number of areas in each local
:10:29. > :10:34.authority area where there is to be either no access or slow access or
:10:34. > :10:38.there are areas where we think the market will not provide access. We
:10:38. > :10:44.know the costs involved in making that excess possible. We are
:10:44. > :10:51.confident that local-authority his will support this agenda, and like
:10:51. > :10:55.her own front bench. We had seven pilots in which local authorities
:10:55. > :11:01.have shown that enthusiasm, including Wiltshire which was
:11:01. > :11:06.mentioned earlier. We on this side were delighted that the Secretary
:11:06. > :11:13.of State has woken up to recognise that there is huge interest in the
:11:13. > :11:19.delivery of broadband services. Why then has he put back Labour's
:11:19. > :11:22.commitment to universal broadband by a for three years so that rural
:11:22. > :11:27.constituencies which are represented by the members opposite,
:11:27. > :11:32.we lose out in the race for growth and jobs by having a Government
:11:33. > :11:38.that doesn't commit to providing the right infrastructure? Many
:11:38. > :11:41.welcome the gentleman to the dispatch box. -- May I a welcome.
:11:41. > :11:48.The reason why we had to put it back three years is that there
:11:48. > :11:53.wasn't enough money in the could she. That is something the former
:11:53. > :11:56.Chief Secretary was prepared to write down. We haven't did just
:11:56. > :12:06.that moment, we have said we will deliver it within this Parliament
:12:06. > :12:06.
:12:07. > :12:11.and we have gone further. It isn't about two megabytes. We want him to
:12:11. > :12:21.get behind his commitment to 90 % commitment to its super-fast
:12:21. > :12:23.
:12:23. > :12:32.I have met with the chief executive of the Rugby Football League many
:12:32. > :12:42.talents and we have recently seen the video launch for the bumpy
:12:42. > :12:42.
:12:42. > :12:48.World Cup. -- for the Rugby World Cup. Does the Minister agree that
:12:48. > :12:53.the World Cup gives an opportunity for us to promote a sport that is
:12:53. > :12:59.fairly friendly and in which there is little trouble off the pitch and
:12:59. > :13:04.where it is cheaper for families to access on the weekend? Does he also
:13:04. > :13:09.agree there is an opportunity to encourage visitors to some of our
:13:09. > :13:19.northern towns? Will he pledged to do all that he can to use the World
:13:19. > :13:22.
:13:22. > :13:27.Cup in order to promote these tens? For -- to promote these players?
:13:27. > :13:34.For any major sports event is a fantastic opportunity to drive
:13:35. > :13:44.Lunny into the local economy. -- driver money into the local economy.
:13:45. > :13:51.
:13:51. > :13:57.I am sure this will be a terrific success. There will be a forum for
:13:57. > :14:03.her for members to boost competitiveness and to remove be
:14:03. > :14:09.areas where appropriate. Bristol is to be home to one of these new
:14:09. > :14:13.local enterprise zones with a focus on creative industries. Will the
:14:13. > :14:20.focus be on practical assistance in making those enterprise zones a
:14:20. > :14:25.success? Will it deliver results on the ground? I was lucky enough to
:14:25. > :14:31.visit Bristol and the astonishing success of the creative industries
:14:31. > :14:39.there is a wonder to behold. We have set up four or five work
:14:39. > :14:48.streams which I hope will be relevant in Bristol. UK music has
:14:48. > :14:55.established that the industry generates �5 billion per year for
:14:55. > :15:03.its this country. Can the Minister assure the House that the work of
:15:03. > :15:11.the Creative Industry Council will set an increase? I recently met
:15:11. > :15:17.with important industry fears for two - a growth I recently met with
:15:17. > :15:23.-- I recently met with its important industry executives about
:15:23. > :15:33.this issue. For is the Minister aware of the devastating impact of
:15:33. > :15:43.
:15:43. > :15:49.the cuts agenda uncreative industry? Is he aware for a special
:15:49. > :15:53.abroad is he aware as that he is bidding at risk -- is he aware that
:15:53. > :15:58.he is but think many creative industries at risk? The huge
:15:58. > :16:08.cultural vibrancy um this country is why I will be -- ing in this
:16:08. > :16:12.
:16:12. > :16:18.country is why I will be going into Labour pool -- Liverpool. Does my
:16:18. > :16:22.honourable friend agree that one of the key determinants is the strong
:16:22. > :16:30.protection of intellectual property? Is he considering
:16:30. > :16:38.following the example of President Obama in appointing its... And does
:16:38. > :16:48.he agree that it is sending the wrong signal in the enforcement in
:16:48. > :17:00.
:17:00. > :17:09.the action against piracy. I have met President Obama's South adviser
:17:09. > :17:16.and when these -- advisers on these issues. It's to continue the trend
:17:16. > :17:20.we need to make sure that the courses that we are teaching in our
:17:20. > :17:24.higher education establishments are truly robust. Will the Minister
:17:24. > :17:31.pledged to work with the education department to make sure that they
:17:31. > :17:39.are fully recognised and really worthwhile courses? In an earlier
:17:39. > :17:43.answer I praised Bournemouth University. I tried to make sure
:17:43. > :17:47.that our courses are fit for purpose and I would like to
:17:47. > :17:52.congratulate the people who worked on that project for their hard work.
:17:52. > :17:56.The government makes available around �2 billion to British banks
:17:56. > :18:02.to support the creative industries. Music industry representatives have
:18:02. > :18:09.told me that only two music companies have been successful in
:18:09. > :18:19.raising loans for and so one experienced music manager was on
:18:19. > :18:23.
:18:23. > :18:27.Lee helped on his 9th attempt -- only held on his late attempt.
:18:27. > :18:30.understand the issue to which she is referring and I want to educate
:18:30. > :18:36.the banks on how these schemes cancer would music industries.
:18:36. > :18:46.There are important changes in the Budget which will help our creative
:18:46. > :18:49.
:18:49. > :18:57.industries. I am just trying to get to the point. I would like to tell
:18:57. > :19:07.you that the TD's whichever is on track and is going extremely well.
:19:07. > :19:10.-- the television at switch over. Many of my constituents are
:19:10. > :19:16.concerned about the impending switch over in the northeast
:19:16. > :19:21.Midlands. Can the Minister assure my constituency that these issues
:19:21. > :19:29.have been addressed and that areas will receive the right regional
:19:30. > :19:39.news for their area which is not currently the case in some places?
:19:39. > :19:48.For in regards to regional news his consistency fair share grow
:19:49. > :19:55.constituency... The BBC has -- constituency... The BBC has had
:19:55. > :20:05.proceeded with Digital's whichever in a very smooth way - are groped
:20:05. > :20:08.
:20:08. > :20:18.digital switch over. I -- digital switch-over. We know that the
:20:18. > :20:18.
:20:18. > :20:26.digital switch over is a good thing but it is not a Utopia. Rupert
:20:26. > :20:30.Graves has a virtual monopoly not just of first -- were bought up for
:20:30. > :20:36.has a virtual monopoly. What is he going to do to make sure that my
:20:36. > :20:46.constituents get a fair deal was worked I would be happy to meet
:20:46. > :20:51.with the Honourable Gentleman to discuss coverage in South Wales.
:20:51. > :21:01.know that Mr Murdoch will have taking a note of Ofcom's
:21:01. > :21:11.
:21:11. > :21:21.recommendations. I discussed... I have been talking about video games
:21:21. > :21:28.
:21:28. > :21:32.in a report about power for growth. I do not have high-speed broadband.
:21:32. > :21:42.I am sure the minister will appreciate that is not what I was
:21:42. > :21:43.
:21:43. > :21:48.looking for. He should be aware that many staff have gone to Canada.
:21:48. > :21:53.Will he we assure me and the house and our constituents that the
:21:53. > :21:57.assessments for creative industries will be carried out as a matter of
:21:57. > :22:04.priority before more harm is done to this very important industry?
:22:04. > :22:10.am reminded of your desire to crack through the bonnet paper. I
:22:10. > :22:14.congratulate the Honourable Member on his work in the video games
:22:15. > :22:21.industry. There had been measures in the Budget that will help the
:22:21. > :22:31.video games industry. I will continue with my vocal support of
:22:31. > :22:32.
:22:32. > :22:36.that industry. I am currently considering responses to the
:22:36. > :22:46.consultation on undertakings and I will announce my decision when the
:22:46. > :22:51.
:22:51. > :22:56.process is complete. It seems that there is unfit control of the
:22:57. > :23:04.British media. This is an issue about legally - record media
:23:04. > :23:11.plurality. I cannot discuss -- about legality. I cannot discuss
:23:11. > :23:21.these issues. I think he would be perhaps convinced by his own front
:23:21. > :23:27.bench. The Shadow Home Secretary has said that these issues are not
:23:27. > :23:31.relevant to the phone hacking issue. The Secretary of State promised a
:23:31. > :23:37.resolution to this matter on 25th April and we are still waiting.
:23:37. > :23:43.Does he understand that people think he has no integrity when he
:23:43. > :23:47.has taken the unprecedented step of personally overseeing negotiations
:23:47. > :23:51.covering the legal and financial arrangements involved in
:23:51. > :23:56.establishing Sky News as a stand- alone company? He is currently
:23:56. > :24:04.taking lessons in how to be a football referee. I assume he
:24:04. > :24:09.understands that the job of a referee is to be used for and not
:24:09. > :24:13.to help one of the teams bundle the ball over the line. -- useful.
:24:13. > :24:19.have been accused of rushing the decision and now I am taking as
:24:19. > :24:22.long as it takes because we want the right decision. I am not
:24:23. > :24:29.personally overseeing the negotiations. That is being done by
:24:29. > :24:35.Ofcom. I am receiving from them written advice which I will be
:24:35. > :24:44.publishing ended when it comes to the question of dithering, -- band
:24:44. > :24:50.when it comes to the question out dithering, I am still waiting to
:24:50. > :24:53.hear whether there is support for my decision or not. Is it not the
:24:53. > :25:02.case that the development of the media market in this country is
:25:02. > :25:07.such that newsprint and mobile platforms are coming together as a
:25:07. > :25:14.matter of drift of policy. Would it be wrong to hold that policy and a
:25:14. > :25:21.pose that development because of the hatred of a single individual?
:25:21. > :25:26.We want to have media policies that allow convergence. Our current
:25:26. > :25:31.television policy is an example of that. This particular issue is
:25:31. > :25:41.about media plurality. It is about making sure that no one has to much
:25:41. > :25:43.
:25:43. > :25:53.power. That is the prism through which we have to look at it.
:25:53. > :25:57.
:25:57. > :26:07.have had 140 responses to our Trust -- about our switch-over. Does he
:26:07. > :26:12.
:26:13. > :26:22.agree with me that TV is successful in places like Brighton and Hove.
:26:22. > :26:28.agree with that. I met the publisher of a magazine in
:26:28. > :26:38.Brighton's -- in Brighton and this person has shown that he has an
:26:38. > :26:39.
:26:39. > :26:43.interest in running a television station in Brighton. I would
:26:43. > :26:49.appreciate a bit of extra information. This has widespread
:26:49. > :26:59.support from local communities and universities. The only organisation
:26:59. > :27:02.
:27:02. > :27:06.that is not supporting it is the Now the Secretary has been forced
:27:06. > :27:14.to abandon the national TV East buyer, his plans are in disarray.
:27:14. > :27:19.Does he agree that there would be serious ethical concerns a few
:27:19. > :27:25.words attempting to take fending from them for his vanity project?
:27:25. > :27:30.With these cuts, the BBC will only be required to spend �25 million of
:27:30. > :27:36.licence fee payers of money on supporting local TV if it can be
:27:36. > :27:42.proved to be sustainable and good value for money? For far from being
:27:42. > :27:45.in disarray, we published plans for 10 local TV stations. We were hoped
:27:45. > :27:51.-- we hope we would have trouble that number by the time this
:27:51. > :27:57.process is complete. ITV is capable of looking after itself they let
:27:57. > :28:02.him be consistent because his own Government was planning to take �40
:28:02. > :28:06.million from the licence fee to support two regional TV channels.
:28:06. > :28:11.We are taking much less money and we are going to get far more local
:28:11. > :28:14.TV stations. I would urge his backbenchers to encourage their
:28:14. > :28:22.front bench to get behind this initiative because their
:28:22. > :28:31.constituents will support this wholeheartedly. Any future bid for
:28:31. > :28:39.a FIFA World Cup is some time away. Probably not a bad thing. Probably
:28:39. > :28:43.not until 2013. I would expect there to be a far greater degree of
:28:43. > :28:49.transparency and accountability in Fifa before we can consider any
:28:50. > :28:54.future bid. Would he agree, without reform of Fifa to give it greater
:28:54. > :29:00.transparency, any England bid is likely to fail in the world of
:29:00. > :29:05.double-dealing and self interest that it has become under Sepp
:29:05. > :29:10.Blatter. I think it is clear from our
:29:10. > :29:16.experience of the last bid and what has happened to that it is an
:29:16. > :29:22.organisation in need of structural reform. The principles must govern
:29:22. > :29:26.that. The newly elected president has said -- has set a process in
:29:26. > :29:31.motion and until that is complete, I doubt we would consider a future
:29:31. > :29:36.bid. Accountability and transparency are an issue in
:29:36. > :29:41.domestic football. Does he agree that it is disappointing that the
:29:42. > :29:45.Premier League have withdrawn their funding for supporters direct, an
:29:45. > :29:50.organisation committed to transparency and football. He is
:29:50. > :29:55.quite right, transparency and accountability is an issue and we
:29:55. > :29:59.await the report from the Select Committee with interest. I am sure
:29:59. > :30:03.he will agree with me that the language used by the chief
:30:03. > :30:08.executive was phial of an entirely different order. It was acceptable
:30:08. > :30:12.from somebody who holds a position of that sort. There should not
:30:12. > :30:21.detract from the organisation generally. There is a meeting
:30:21. > :30:24.Scheduled for Friday and the hope that will come to a conclusion.
:30:24. > :30:28.We have protected funding for the World Service with an efficiency
:30:28. > :30:32.saving and accountability to Parliament will continue through
:30:32. > :30:36.the foreign affairs select committee. Does he agree with me
:30:36. > :30:41.that Britain's place in the world and Britain's contribution to the
:30:41. > :30:47.world is enhanced by the work of the BBC World Service? I have seen
:30:47. > :30:51.this in relation ship -- in relation to Somali land. Is he
:30:51. > :30:56.concerned about the fragility of the service world wide and what can
:30:56. > :31:06.he do to satisfy s that Parliament would be fully involved and that
:31:06. > :31:06.
:31:07. > :31:13.the service is safe in his hands? - - satisfied at us. I think it is an
:31:13. > :31:18.incredible jewel in our crown. It the moving of the World Service
:31:18. > :31:23.directly into the core BBC has tremendous opportunities. Able
:31:23. > :31:28.strengthen the BBC World Service independence and allow for
:31:28. > :31:35.efficiency savings to be made which will mean that more can be invested
:31:35. > :31:41.in programming. It will mean that there are potential improvements to
:31:42. > :31:46.the television service which is long overdue. At aim is to reduce
:31:46. > :31:53.the administrative spend by the Department by 50 %. We have also
:31:53. > :31:57.reduced the pay bill by �3 million for a voluntary redundancy scheme
:31:57. > :32:00.and under the programme is in place to bring further savings. What
:32:00. > :32:06.Mathers have been brought in to expose further efficiencies that
:32:06. > :32:13.have not been identified. -- what measures. We keep everything under
:32:13. > :32:18.review. We have identified a number of particular points. They are
:32:18. > :32:26.ministers not using Government car service which will save �250,000 a
:32:26. > :32:35.year. Cutting spent on travel by a �30,000. We will continue to
:32:35. > :32:45.My right honourable friend, the Secretary of State, discusses his
:32:45. > :32:46.
:32:46. > :32:49.is with his cabinet colleagues. The media training prop broke --
:32:49. > :32:54.programmes play an important role in rehabilitating prisoners. When
:32:54. > :32:58.we see these models, like the present media centre's project run
:32:58. > :33:02.by people in my constituency in Brighton Pavilion, we should be
:33:02. > :33:12.rolling them out more widely. We have talks to ensure their is a
:33:12. > :33:13.
:33:13. > :33:18.national roll-out of those schemes? -- will he have. As a imagine that
:33:18. > :33:28.we will have more ideas on how we can encourage these programmes
:33:28. > :33:34.around the country. I am grateful. My department and the Arts Council
:33:34. > :33:37.continue to monitor the impact of the portfolio announcements. People
:33:37. > :33:42.and successful will continue to receive support during the
:33:42. > :33:50.financial year. This will allow them to look at alternative areas
:33:50. > :33:54.of support. Given that the cut of 74 % in arts funding this year for
:33:54. > :33:58.young people, committees and schools, can it Secretary of State
:33:58. > :34:02.tell the House what the Government is doing to widen access to arts
:34:02. > :34:06.and cultural activities for young people and under-represented
:34:06. > :34:11.groups? The Arts Council has proposals to continue to support
:34:11. > :34:21.cultural education in schools and we have asked the managing director
:34:21. > :34:26.
:34:26. > :34:30.of Classic FM to build on his With permission, I will have much
:34:31. > :34:35.progress to report on our five priority areas over the next few
:34:35. > :34:40.weeks including broadband applications for local authorities,
:34:40. > :34:44.next steps for the awarding of local TV licences, pilots of the
:34:44. > :34:51.school games 2012, a policy to promote financial resilience for
:34:51. > :34:58.the arts. The House will want to congratulate Andy Murray on his
:34:58. > :35:02.success at Queen's on Monday and wish him success at Wimbledon.
:35:02. > :35:06.am sure the Secretary of State supports the idea that they will be
:35:06. > :35:12.an independent licences for all four parts of the UK. At the moment,
:35:12. > :35:16.how can he justify a effect that Scottish Television is not
:35:16. > :35:21.recognised as an independent producer and therefore is denied
:35:21. > :35:27.access to 25 % of the production available through the system? They
:35:27. > :35:31.are treated like other small independents. Surely it must be an
:35:31. > :35:38.in defend -- independent qualified producer. The only point I would
:35:38. > :35:41.make to him is the success of broadcasting industry has been
:35:41. > :35:45.based on the division between broadcasters and producers. That
:35:45. > :35:50.has benefits for Scotland as it does for the whole of the UK. Under
:35:50. > :35:54.our local TV programme, we hope to award many more licences for other
:35:54. > :35:59.areas. My honourable friend will be aware that the Government has been
:35:59. > :36:01.allocated 9,000 tickets for the 2012 Olympic Games. Will my right
:36:01. > :36:06.honourable friend reassure the House that none of those tickets
:36:06. > :36:12.will be provided as free perks either to Government employees in
:36:12. > :36:15.general or UK politicians in particular? I am happy to reassure
:36:15. > :36:20.my honourable friend about the details of those tickets. 3,000 of
:36:20. > :36:25.those have been allocated to staff SECC with the project. They will be
:36:25. > :36:29.purchased and are available through a ballot. 2,400 of those tickets
:36:29. > :36:35.are being made available to host towns and cities and will be
:36:35. > :36:37.purchased. 2,900 tickets will be made available to guests of the
:36:38. > :36:42.Government including international business guests and dignitaries, to
:36:43. > :36:50.make sure we secure an applicant -- economic level to the Olympics. 450
:36:50. > :36:57.tickets will be allocated as prizes in the school games to which 6,000
:36:58. > :37:01.schools have current League signed up. Thank you. I think the House
:37:02. > :37:09.will be grateful for the Secretary of State's clear expedition. I am
:37:09. > :37:12.sure that is widely publicised. I hope that the House will join me in
:37:12. > :37:21.welcoming to our proceedings today, a delegation from the Dutch Olympic
:37:21. > :37:29.Committee. As London prepares to welcome the world's to our Olympic
:37:29. > :37:34.Games next year, when he recognise the limited scope for the
:37:34. > :37:38.International Olympic Committee, to do more than issue at invitations
:37:38. > :37:46.to countries around the world, to the National Olympic committees of
:37:46. > :37:51.countries around the world? Will he give the sensitivity of what we
:37:51. > :37:55.would describe it -- described as pariah regimes, assure the House
:37:55. > :38:01.that all necessary and relevant diplomatic intervention will be
:38:01. > :38:10.taken at the appropriate time to prevent participation in the games
:38:10. > :38:14.of heads of such? I entirely agree with the vital marble lady. What
:38:14. > :38:18.was apparent yesterday in dealing with the Libyan regime, was how
:38:18. > :38:23.much easier it is to do with these situations if they are the subject
:38:23. > :38:27.of EU banning orders. It is a huge help if they are subject to the
:38:27. > :38:33.living sanctions. I would like to extend a welcome to the Dutch
:38:33. > :38:39.Olympic Committee. They are close allies of Alice in the cause of
:38:39. > :38:44.full bore reform and I hope they have a successful trip. -- allies
:38:44. > :38:50.of hours. Following the Public Accounts Committee hearing on Ofcom
:38:50. > :38:55.and thirties I gave him, can he confirm whether Ofcom will use
:38:55. > :38:59.present value estimates of long- term investments in their 22 when
:38:59. > :39:06.it/11 Annual Accounts and whether this will apply with the
:39:06. > :39:09.principles? I don't know so I will write to the honourable gentleman.
:39:09. > :39:12.Supporters direct haven't just been helping involvement in football
:39:12. > :39:18.clubs, they have been advising on the bid for the Walthamstow dog
:39:18. > :39:27.track in helping to involve the community. We he meet with me in
:39:27. > :39:32.how we can promote this and a range of sports. That is the first case
:39:32. > :39:36.we have had on dog racing. In the circumstances, the best thing to
:39:36. > :39:46.say is I would be delighted to meet the on ability and hear more about
:39:46. > :39:49.us. -- honourable lady. I welcome his comments in the broad band roll.
:39:49. > :39:59.Does he recognise the imbalance in a market where some people have
:39:59. > :40:01.
:40:01. > :40:08.better access to better a band whiff. -- better band width? What
:40:08. > :40:11.really recognise -- what we recognise his there has to be a
:40:11. > :40:15.competitive market in broadband and it would be damaging for the
:40:15. > :40:20.broadband market if we didn't have a competitive market in mobile
:40:20. > :40:25.provision. Ofcom are working hard to structure the spectrum auction
:40:25. > :40:30.is to make sure that happens. he still believe in localism and if
:40:30. > :40:36.he does, why is he undermining local radio up and down the country,
:40:36. > :40:39.reducing morality? Why he's the attacking the third sector art
:40:39. > :40:44.organisations that are collapsing up and down the country because of
:40:44. > :40:50.lack of funding? For we are not. I don't know where he gets his
:40:50. > :40:57.information from. We published the media strategy for many years that
:40:57. > :41:01.gives away for what a thought for local radio stations. We are
:41:01. > :41:05.supporting community radio stations. With local arts groups, we have put
:41:05. > :41:11.in a big package to encourage and help arts organisations to be
:41:11. > :41:16.resilient in very difficult financial times. If the Crewe
:41:16. > :41:21.Alexander girls centre of excellence has a enviable record in
:41:21. > :41:25.producing first-class players. It has a reputation across the
:41:25. > :41:29.footballing community, built over many years. The FA has awarded
:41:29. > :41:34.their success by deciding to close the centre, leaving many gifted
:41:34. > :41:41.players and their parents feeling dumbfounded and devastated. Can he
:41:41. > :41:46.look into this matter urgently and take it up personally with that the
:41:46. > :41:51.chairman of the FA? I think that question gives me the opportunity
:41:51. > :41:55.that everyone will wish to undertake to wish the England
:41:55. > :42:05.football team good luck. As far as his question is concerned, I will
:42:05. > :42:07.
:42:07. > :42:15.take it up if he sends me the The minister replied earlier to the
:42:15. > :42:19.Honourable Lady talking about the efforts to persuade the ISPs to
:42:19. > :42:26.create a system so that families can be protected from pornography
:42:26. > :42:30.on their computers. Is it not for them for him to use the stick of
:42:30. > :42:36.regulations so we can protect families from pornography flowing
:42:36. > :42:40.into the home? That is what we are doing. We are telling people that
:42:40. > :42:50.if they do not comply with measures we are bringing forward and we will
:42:50. > :42:54.
:42:54. > :43:00.regulate. -- deal with that. Kennedy Mr update on who is going
:43:00. > :43:10.to benefit from the ticket share -- care and the minister update on who
:43:10. > :43:11.
:43:11. > :43:17.is going to benefit from the ticket scheme? To there are tickets
:43:17. > :43:22.available for -- there will be some tickets made available if. I would
:43:22. > :43:28.like to think the minister for Creative Industries for having a
:43:28. > :43:35.protective -- productive meeting with meets about the trouble that
:43:35. > :43:41.UK musicians have been getting a visa and to go to the US. Will the
:43:41. > :43:47.Minister assure me that he will do everything he can to help with
:43:47. > :43:53.this? For I am sure that was a successful meeting and we are going
:43:53. > :44:03.to do everything weekend to idea out the bumps in the road. - never
:44:03. > :44:16.
:44:16. > :44:22.everything we can to I and -- I agree that this is a celebration
:44:22. > :44:26.of world sport. It is important that where there are machines that
:44:26. > :44:31.we do not wish to invite to this country that there are sanctions to
:44:31. > :44:39.back that up. It is one of the ironies that the ban that was put
:44:39. > :44:46.in place in the 1980 Olympics... There were two people who did not
:44:46. > :44:54.abide by that and now they for are involved heavily with the Games.
:44:54. > :44:58.The BBC is in discussions about changes to the value test. He and
:44:58. > :45:05.the Minister assure me that no television channels will be allowed
:45:05. > :45:08.to close? I cannot give that guarantee because the BBC operates
:45:08. > :45:13.at an arm's length from the government and has editorial
:45:13. > :45:20.discretion as to what it does or does not do. When we negotiated the
:45:20. > :45:24.licence fee last October it was only understanding that the 16 %
:45:25. > :45:29.saving in real terms on the least since -- licence-fee was an
:45:29. > :45:39.efficiency savings and we were not expect the BBC to be unable to
:45:39. > :45:51.
:45:51. > :45:58.offer any of its core services Outside the Secure eerie at the
:45:58. > :46:04.house hold a long leash on a residential flat at Rochester Road
:46:04. > :46:09.which has an annual rent of �440. There is a freehold property
:46:09. > :46:19.followed in the street that is used as her -- hostel style overnight
:46:19. > :46:19.
:46:19. > :46:25.accommodation for staff and that is valued at �600,000. For I could
:46:25. > :46:30.press the Honourable Gentleman that given that we now have far few
:46:30. > :46:34.sittings End after the election we will have fewer colleagues -- and
:46:34. > :46:39.after the election we will have your colleagues then perhaps now
:46:39. > :46:45.would be the time to move the beds into the estate so we could make
:46:45. > :46:49.real savings. The commission is a very alive to seeking savings
:46:49. > :46:55.within the accommodation budget and there are a number of possibilities
:46:55. > :47:05.which may arise in the future and these are kept under active
:47:05. > :47:09.
:47:09. > :47:15.consideration. It's for - a group the house sits for 139 days a year
:47:15. > :47:20.-- the house sits for 139 days a year. Members were encouraged to
:47:20. > :47:25.come on Monday evening and leave Wednesday night. If we are going to
:47:25. > :47:29.restore parliament to the fulcrum of our democratic process we must
:47:29. > :47:35.restore Thursdays to being a full business day. Does the Leader of
:47:36. > :47:40.the House agree? I certainly agree that the bash regret but they
:47:41. > :47:48.should be a part of the parliamentary week. -- that
:47:48. > :47:53.Thursday should be a part of the parliamentary week. My honourable
:47:53. > :48:00.friend has indicated that he would like my other honourable friend to
:48:00. > :48:05.be present. There is business on a Thursday that requires a division.
:48:05. > :48:12.There has been a good turn out by members of parliament. I do not
:48:12. > :48:17.agree with his view that the estate is not a fully paid day of the week.
:48:18. > :48:21.Surely the question put forward by my fellow member is about
:48:21. > :48:26.establishing when a day every week in the parliamentary calendar as a
:48:26. > :48:31.backbench day. That is helpful to the leader of the house and the
:48:31. > :48:40.business managers and the Government can schedule business
:48:40. > :48:45.around us as backbench business. Mike and the view is that it is the
:48:45. > :48:53.advantage -- my own view is that the house has the advantage of its
:48:53. > :49:02.current arrangements. In paragraph 214 it says that it could be left
:49:02. > :49:07.open to a process of negotiation as to which day of the week will be on
:49:07. > :49:16.devoted - rare crow which will be devoted to backbench -- which will
:49:16. > :49:21.be devoted to backbench business. Can I remind my Right Honourable
:49:21. > :49:31.Friend that during his thankfully unsuccessful bid for your seat, Mr
:49:31. > :49:38.Speaker, he wanted to move the being accused to Thursday himself.
:49:38. > :49:43.-- the Prime Minister's Questions to Thursday himself. I am grateful
:49:43. > :49:49.to my right honourable friend. When I was on the backbenches I could do
:49:49. > :49:52.some blue-sky thinking. My horizons are now more constrained. I say to
:49:52. > :49:57.my honourable friend that the Prime Minister is more than satisfied
:49:57. > :50:01.with the current arrangement for Prime Minister's Questions. Isn't
:50:01. > :50:05.the real reason that the leader cannot and its small time for a
:50:05. > :50:10.backbench business for give as the date for the end of the session is
:50:10. > :50:15.that the Government is running into trouble with its own legislation?
:50:15. > :50:23.The public bodies Bill has been defeated end he has often been
:50:23. > :50:27.defeated armed commissioners. -- defeated on the commissioners. Why
:50:27. > :50:36.does the Government not simply stop rushing into this ill-thought-out
:50:36. > :50:41.legislation and allow more scrutiny? That would improve the
:50:41. > :50:44.health bill. I would make no criticism from members opposite
:50:44. > :50:51.about the way we handle the parliamentary programme. We are
:50:51. > :50:55.given far more time than the previous government bid. We have on
:50:55. > :51:01.several occasions allowed two days on report for bills including this
:51:01. > :51:06.week. We have extended the session also the house has more time to
:51:06. > :51:15.consider the legislative programme. I entirely reject that we are
:51:15. > :51:21.rushing legislation through the house. My Right Honourable Friend
:51:21. > :51:25.and I have received no representation on the matter.
:51:25. > :51:33.think one of the problems that we have with opposition day debate is
:51:33. > :51:36.the late notification received both on the topic and the motion. This
:51:36. > :51:41.deprives the numbers on their sights of an opportunity to prepare
:51:41. > :51:45.speeches. Could he have a word with his opposite number to see how we
:51:45. > :51:53.might improve the procedure and help improve a debate on all sides
:51:53. > :51:58.of this house? I have to say that I think the Honourable Gentleman is
:51:58. > :52:06.absolutely right. It is a pin to the opposition to table the subject
:52:06. > :52:10.for debate immediately after the date is set. It would be a courtesy
:52:10. > :52:20.for the house to be given an appropriate length of time to know
:52:20. > :52:25.them, if they wish, to put forward amendments. Is the Honourable
:52:25. > :52:29.Gentleman satisfied with the amount of time that Labour get for
:52:29. > :52:39.opposition day. Surely all the time that was afforded to the Liberals,
:52:39. > :52:42.
:52:42. > :52:46.why didn't have that come... We seem to get half a day every decade.
:52:46. > :52:49.The Honourable Gentleman might be right to -- like to look at the
:52:49. > :52:59.borders and suggest whether others may wish to change it. At the
:52:59. > :53:03.
:53:03. > :53:06.moment we can only do as is required by standing order. Since
:53:06. > :53:10.the general election the Government has established a backbench
:53:10. > :53:15.business committee and increase the amount of time for a tub go
:53:15. > :53:18.questions and were making many more statements than the previous
:53:18. > :53:23.government. I think is the increased level of coverage of
:53:23. > :53:32.debates that we have seen in the media is testament to beat a local
:53:32. > :53:38.nature of this place. A key step in making proceedings were top goal
:53:38. > :53:48.would be to launched work topics on the floor of the house. What
:53:48. > :53:51.progress is being made on this issue? That is a good idea. My
:53:51. > :54:00.Right Honourable Friend will be writing shortly to the cheers of
:54:00. > :54:10.the backbench business committee seeking their views to on a short
:54:10. > :54:14.
:54:14. > :54:21.days it's. We have seen better ago are there any plans for a question
:54:21. > :54:31.terms do not Basra road that do not have to go questions? --? Times
:54:31. > :54:36.
:54:36. > :54:39.that do not have topical questions's -- questions? For we
:54:39. > :54:49.will always entertain requests in the future but there are no plans
:54:49. > :55:03.
:55:03. > :55:06.to do so. I think the Honourable Gentleman has raised an interesting
:55:06. > :55:16.point and it is something that he might like to put to the procedural
:55:16. > :55:21.
:55:21. > :55:25.committee were there consideration. It would be useful for them. This
:55:25. > :55:31.matter was last considered shortly before the 80,000 by general
:55:31. > :55:36.election. The House received advice that accounting -- before the
:55:36. > :55:41.general election. The House received advice and for that reason
:55:41. > :55:46.the charitable donation was not pursued and the assets were resold
:55:46. > :55:51.after having data are removed. I take my Honourable Friend for his
:55:51. > :55:55.response but is he aware that the House of Lords does allow the
:55:55. > :56:01.redistribution of equipment to charities? Would he ask the
:56:01. > :56:09.committee to reconsider its decision from 2007? I would like to
:56:09. > :56:17.point out that the total relating to redistributed equipment was
:56:17. > :56:21.�75,000. The House of Lords have a far less -- have far less equipment
:56:21. > :56:28.of far less that you and take a different view. We will consider
:56:28. > :56:35.the matter at the end of this Parliament. Curly all appears have
:56:35. > :56:40.access to some -- go quietly all peers have access to see some
:56:40. > :56:50.places in this house. The house have Lloyd's has a reciprocal
:56:50. > :56:51.
:56:51. > :56:55.arrangement for a numbers in this house. For the Rees and
:56:55. > :57:00.administration would words on catering and retail services in the
:57:00. > :57:10.House make some recommendations for widening access to Piers especially
:57:10. > :57:33.
:57:33. > :57:37.at dining rooms in lesser Used We have dedicated members of
:57:38. > :57:41.parliament for and another 100 Members would make life for their
:57:41. > :57:49.as elected members are very difficult. And as I understand
:57:49. > :57:52.these reports it is a suggestion rather than a full recommendations.