:00:00. > :00:00.in both houses of parliament at 11pm, but first we have questions
:00:00. > :00:09.the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport, Karen Bradley, and
:00:10. > :00:14.ministerial team. Mr Speaker, before I start, I would like to remind the
:00:15. > :00:19.House that as per today's order paper, I plan to make a statement on
:00:20. > :00:23.the proposed merger of 21st-century Fox and Sky. I will not be answering
:00:24. > :00:30.any questions on subjects during oral questions but will be happy to
:00:31. > :00:34.do so later today. We have been engaging with representatives from
:00:35. > :00:37.across the creative industries to understand the potential impact and
:00:38. > :00:41.opportunities of the UK's decision to leave the EU, including on
:00:42. > :00:45.funding, the Treasury has announced it will guarantee funding for
:00:46. > :00:58.investment fund projects between the time will you be you and 2020. Gwent
:00:59. > :01:03.has been the film location from Doctor Who to the hitchhikers guide
:01:04. > :01:07.to the Galaxy. Keen that the British film industry to thrive at the
:01:08. > :01:14.Brexit, so can the government negotiate for it to stay in the
:01:15. > :01:20.vital film funding project, which our own British film Institute helps
:01:21. > :01:23.hold together? Can I join the honourable gentleman and praising
:01:24. > :01:29.Gwent and all parts of Wales which are used as the locations for some
:01:30. > :01:35.fantastic films and television programmes, but also the studios in
:01:36. > :01:42.Cardiff, where many of the great programmes, including Doctor Who,
:01:43. > :01:46.films. Am aware of the views about creative Europe and we are looking
:01:47. > :01:51.at all European funds and making decisions about what is the
:01:52. > :01:58.appropriate from United Kingdom to those funds post-leaving the
:01:59. > :02:01.European Union. Can I welcome recognition of the importance to the
:02:02. > :02:07.creative industries? Of their ability to be able to license on the
:02:08. > :02:11.exclusive territorial basis. But can she ensure that message gets across
:02:12. > :02:15.the UK permanent representation in Brussels said that whilst we are
:02:16. > :02:21.still in the EU, they argued that plays as strongly as possible? I
:02:22. > :02:26.think I can say categorically yes, but the point he refers to is one of
:02:27. > :02:29.the reasons that people were concerned about our membership of
:02:30. > :02:35.the EU, and I think one of the things that led to the vote on the
:02:36. > :02:41.23rd of June last year. It is not only funding that could be affected
:02:42. > :02:48.by leaving the EU but the growth of the creative industries, which
:02:49. > :02:54.contributes ?87.1 billion, ?180,000 a minute to UK's economy. What
:02:55. > :02:58.safeguards issue putting in place to protect this current thriving sector
:02:59. > :03:02.of UK plc, and they can take this opportunity to put on record my
:03:03. > :03:09.enormous thanks to her and her team for bringing forward the legislation
:03:10. > :03:14.and taken on board all the recommendations on the Waterson
:03:15. > :03:18.review? Can I thank the honourable lady? The two of us met three years
:03:19. > :03:23.ago on this matter when I was a minister at the Home Office and had
:03:24. > :03:27.responsibility for the matter, and I know she has campaigned long and
:03:28. > :03:31.hard to achieve this. Together with my honourable friend from Selby, she
:03:32. > :03:34.deserves great credit for the past we have reached this point. With
:03:35. > :03:40.regard to the greater industries, which she rightly says is a great
:03:41. > :03:44.British success story, which is one of the reasons the creative
:03:45. > :03:49.industries are mentioned explicitly in our industrial strategy Green
:03:50. > :03:53.paper, and I think also it is worth saying that the creative industries
:03:54. > :03:57.are great UK success story because they are global, truly global, they
:03:58. > :04:00.are not just looking at the European Union as a market, they are looking
:04:01. > :04:07.across the hall of the world, and I want to make sure they continue to
:04:08. > :04:09.have the success they do. Does the state agree there's been
:04:10. > :04:13.cross-fertilisation of creative and artistic talent among the people of
:04:14. > :04:19.Europe for several millennia, and there's no reason to suppose this.
:04:20. > :04:28.Once we leave the EU? I will take the hint for brevity and say yes.
:04:29. > :04:34.All across Europe, our competitors in the creative industries are ready
:04:35. > :04:37.to pounce. Leaving Brexit, uncertainty is their opportunity.
:04:38. > :04:40.Does the Secretary of State realise that by refusing to guarantee the
:04:41. > :04:44.residency rights of EU nationals this week, the government has once
:04:45. > :04:52.again shown itself to be a pro champion of those and in this sector
:04:53. > :04:57.of the UK? We've had the debate about EU nationals in their cells,
:04:58. > :05:03.and we have been clear that we want to get early certainty for EU
:05:04. > :05:09.nationals, but very importantly, for UK nationals in Europe. It is
:05:10. > :05:13.incredibly important we get that reciprocal arrangement as soon as
:05:14. > :05:18.possible, so that we can give that certainty. The Secretary of State
:05:19. > :05:22.will be aware the culture media and sport select committee visited
:05:23. > :05:28.Belfast where we were able to visit the gamer friends said. When we
:05:29. > :05:32.asked about EU contribution to the Northern Ireland industry, EU
:05:33. > :05:38.funding did not come up, but access to a UK talent pool did. Does she
:05:39. > :05:42.believe government investment should be invested in building up that
:05:43. > :05:46.pool? The honourable gentleman is right, we need to make sure we got
:05:47. > :05:49.the skills and talent in the UK and we attract the brightest and best
:05:50. > :05:54.from the world, and I'm looking forward to visiting Northern
:05:55. > :05:58.Ireland. There are a few political issues stopping me doing so, but as
:05:59. > :06:08.soon as they are resolved, I will make that visit. The government is
:06:09. > :06:12.assessing the impact of leaving be you on voluntary and community
:06:13. > :06:16.sector. We are in ongoing discussions about the challenges and
:06:17. > :06:20.opportunities that it presents. I encourage charities to raise
:06:21. > :06:24.specific concerns were relevant departments, and we will continue to
:06:25. > :06:27.work with the sector and devolved Administration is gone including the
:06:28. > :06:32.Welsh Assembly, as we plan our exit from the EU. I would like to thank
:06:33. > :06:39.the Minister puts response and place on record I'd share the group for
:06:40. > :06:43.charities and volunteering. The Minister will be aware that this is
:06:44. > :06:48.a serious situation. Somewhere between three and 50 million and 450
:06:49. > :06:56.million being seen as the rector shortfall. Kammy has assurances
:06:57. > :06:59.there will be a long-term strategy in place, not just in terms of
:07:00. > :07:07.current funding but a long-term Sergei -- can we? -- strategy.
:07:08. > :07:15.Their support in this House and outside is a great benefit to the
:07:16. > :07:18.sector. In terms of working with the sector on funding, leaving the EU
:07:19. > :07:23.doesn't mean we will want to make our own decisions on how we deliver
:07:24. > :07:30.the policy objectives previously targeted by EU funding. For projects
:07:31. > :07:34.signed after autumn 2016, Autumn Statement, after we leave the EU,
:07:35. > :07:40.funding will be honoured by the Treasury. Ever provide strong body
:07:41. > :07:46.for money and is in line with domestic priorities -- if it provide
:07:47. > :07:51.strong value for money. Including to social change, the amount charities
:07:52. > :07:58.get from the EU amounts to no .5% of the income. Does he agree that the
:07:59. > :08:03.opportunity afforded by the government's proposals to access
:08:04. > :08:08.dormant funds will go a long way to covering any shortfall in funding
:08:09. > :08:16.from the EU and may indeed exceeded? Indeed I do. Last year, according to
:08:17. > :08:20.the Charity commission, the sector receives about ?73 billion in
:08:21. > :08:25.income. The government has a number of funding mechanisms it is aiding
:08:26. > :08:29.the sector in, 5 billion pounds worth of tax relief and others
:08:30. > :08:36.aboard is in place to make sure the charity sector can go from strength
:08:37. > :08:40.to strength. The Scottish Council for voluntary organisations conduct
:08:41. > :08:44.a survey last month on the impact of Brexit on the charity and voluntary
:08:45. > :08:48.sector. 40% of the charities were concerned about the networks in
:08:49. > :08:52.collaborations with other EU charities. I wonder what the
:08:53. > :08:58.Minister can do to reassure Scottish charities and across the UK that
:08:59. > :09:02.those networks will be protected post Brexit? Of course, charity
:09:03. > :09:09.legislation is both devolved from the EU, so Charity legislation is a
:09:10. > :09:12.UK responsibility, and within the UK, responsibility but charity
:09:13. > :09:16.legislation is devolved to Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland. What I
:09:17. > :09:20.can say is that the government is listing very closely to all parts of
:09:21. > :09:23.civil society across the UK and we will be working very closely with
:09:24. > :09:30.them to make sure we do have a long-term plan and do have a
:09:31. > :09:35.long-term strategy. The Brexit secretary tells us he's done no work
:09:36. > :09:39.to understand the implications of a new deal Brexit on the country. What
:09:40. > :09:42.does the Minister doing to understand the implications of no
:09:43. > :09:49.deal Brexit on charities, not just in terms of funding but also the
:09:50. > :09:55.workforce, which is diverse? There has been an enormous amount of work
:09:56. > :09:59.on going, we recognise civil society organisations have a wide range of
:10:00. > :10:03.very important views on Brexit. We have chaired the number of round
:10:04. > :10:06.tables were representatives from the sector, we are working closely with
:10:07. > :10:11.the sector and as I said in a previous answer, we have a long-term
:10:12. > :10:20.plan and strategy to make sure the sector is supported. I can tell how
:10:21. > :10:27.is that independent figures show superfast broadband is now available
:10:28. > :10:32.to 92.5% of UK premises on track to meet our manifesto commitment of 95%
:10:33. > :10:36.by the end of the year. I'm grateful to the Minister for that answer, the
:10:37. > :10:41.superfast roll-out in a publisher is ahead of schedule, but what
:10:42. > :10:44.reassurance can and as they give to my constituents in the most
:10:45. > :10:49.difficult to reach areas, those who find themselves in county
:10:50. > :10:54.boundaries, that they will benefit from this too? The honourable
:10:55. > :10:57.member's support the digital bill means universal service obligation
:10:58. > :11:04.to bring high-speed broadband to every premise is getting closer to
:11:05. > :11:08.reality, but also because of take-up of superfast broadband, every person
:11:09. > :11:13.no publisher who takes up superfast broadband also helps to get the
:11:14. > :11:17.roll-out to go further, because more money goes back into the system to
:11:18. > :11:21.provide more connections. It is shameful that seven out of the ten
:11:22. > :11:32.UK communities with the slowest broadband download speed are in
:11:33. > :11:37.Wales, many places are bottom. BT backed out. Will the Minister join
:11:38. > :11:38.me in asking when the Labour Welsh government will speed up their act
:11:39. > :11:45.Is the broadband contract in Wales on broadband?
:11:46. > :11:52.Is the broadband contract in Wales is a matter for the Welsh
:11:53. > :11:55.Government. -- the delivery of the broadband contract. The Welsh
:11:56. > :11:58.Government has made some progress on this recently and we have been
:11:59. > :12:04.working together. The geography of Wales means the Reuters hard about
:12:05. > :12:08.us -- means the Reuters hard but that doesn't mean we should not get
:12:09. > :12:10.everyone with High Speed 3 broadband by the end of the decade. Our
:12:11. > :12:19.contribution to the bill will make that happen. In my village, 100
:12:20. > :12:27.houses, 12 have not been eligible for superfast broadband. Openreach
:12:28. > :12:35.can solve this with the simple application of wireless programme.
:12:36. > :12:41.But they have fused to do so. -- refused. Does the Minister accept
:12:42. > :12:45.that quite often, even though the Government might say it has met its
:12:46. > :12:49.targets and, for that matter, broadband providers will say they
:12:50. > :12:52.have fantastic speeds, in reality, in the House or business, people
:12:53. > :12:57.will experience speeds which are much slower and nowhere near what
:12:58. > :13:00.the Government promises. I am not attacking the Government in this. I
:13:01. > :13:06.am simply trying to get reality into the equation so that people in their
:13:07. > :13:10.homes and businesses can really get proper, superfast broadband. Mr
:13:11. > :13:15.Speaker, working with the honourable member on this subject has been
:13:16. > :13:18.unusually enjoyable. Because he is not making party political points on
:13:19. > :13:22.this one. He has been working very hard for his constituents. We have
:13:23. > :13:30.been engaged in serious correspondence. The truth is that we
:13:31. > :13:37.use independent figures on roll-out. A lot of people don't take up the
:13:38. > :13:40.broadband that is available to them. I would call the honourable
:13:41. > :13:50.gentleman, the member for Macclesfield, if he were standing.
:13:51. > :13:53.I'm glad to say that he is! It is very good to be able to ask this
:13:54. > :14:01.question. Thank you for the opportunity. The Secretary of State,
:14:02. > :14:10.and welcome his steps to improve broadband across the country. Can my
:14:11. > :14:14.right honourable friend tell us more about the fibre connection vouchers
:14:15. > :14:21.and how they will assist businesses in rural communities? Yes, I can. In
:14:22. > :14:35.the budget, we announced we are going to have a full five business
:14:36. > :14:42.venture. -- fibre business connection.
:14:43. > :14:50.We will be implementing that was the end of this year and I look forward
:14:51. > :15:01.to doing that. This super-duper broadband, which is relatively new
:15:02. > :15:11.to me, will be able to expose, even more so, the Tory election fraud.
:15:12. > :15:16.What a wonderful idea! Mr Speaker, I thought even he was going to join in
:15:17. > :15:23.this nonpartisan celebration of connectivity. But unfortunately, you
:15:24. > :15:28.can resist. I do not know which century the Minister had in mind.
:15:29. > :15:33.Data from the House of Commons Library shows that in my
:15:34. > :15:35.constituency, there is some of the worst levels of broadband with a
:15:36. > :15:39.quarter of residents experiencing pathetic download speeds. Will my
:15:40. > :15:44.right honourable friend get his department to sit down with
:15:45. > :15:54.Openreach to away from Adam Ward? Yes, we're making some progress in
:15:55. > :15:59.Lancashire. -- to help the problem in that ward? We want to connect
:16:00. > :16:08.everybody with a decent speed in Lancashire in the next few years.
:16:09. > :16:12.Thank you, Mr Speaker. We are firmly committed to improving diversity and
:16:13. > :16:18.social mobility in broadcasting, as in other areas of the trades and
:16:19. > :16:21.industries. Next week, we will host the first-ever formal diversity for
:16:22. > :16:26.Abbey Road Studios, bringing together people from music, film,
:16:27. > :16:32.broadcasting and sport to build a country that whatsoever one. I am
:16:33. > :16:35.grateful for that. Can you update the House on discussions he is
:16:36. > :16:41.having an progress with securing minimum levels of access to
:16:42. > :16:47.subtitling, signing and audio description in on demand services?
:16:48. > :16:52.Yes, we have made some progress in terms of on demand services. The
:16:53. > :16:58.broadcasters, I think, do a very good job of making sure that
:16:59. > :17:03.subtitling is available. Obviously, technology has changed the way that
:17:04. > :17:07.people consume video and a lot more of it is on demand. So we are
:17:08. > :17:16.introducing rules to make sure that on demand gets the same sort of
:17:17. > :17:19.subtitling. In October last year, the BBC Look
:17:20. > :17:29.North reporter Dan Carpenter, suspended for making vile comments
:17:30. > :17:33.regarding... I have written several letters to the BBC to find out what
:17:34. > :17:37.their investigations are and they haven't given me an answer. Does he
:17:38. > :17:39.agree that although we agree with diversity of opinion within
:17:40. > :17:47.broadcasting and views, the BBC should take action in relation to Mr
:17:48. > :17:52.Carpenter but also to prevent re-occurrence of such ridiculous
:17:53. > :17:55.bias. We rightly don't have direct Government regulation of the BBC in
:17:56. > :18:00.this area. I think that is appropriate. We are introducing,
:18:01. > :18:06.through the new charter, off, as the regulator. That will come in once
:18:07. > :18:18.the digital economy bill becomes law. -- Ofcom. It will be Ofcom and
:18:19. > :18:23.the BBC's board that should ensure they get his judgment is right.
:18:24. > :18:26.Previously, the Minister of state-owned house that he had chosen
:18:27. > :18:32.for white males for the four board rejected a well-qualified bay in a
:18:33. > :18:44.woman because he rejected tokenism. The Secretary of State filled to
:18:45. > :18:47.appoint a... Isn't the only diversity year that between
:18:48. > :18:51.Secretary of State and the Minister of the, who thinks he should be the
:18:52. > :18:59.Secretary of State? No. On the Welsh appointment to
:19:00. > :19:04.Wales, it is a great pity that when the Welsh Government had a
:19:05. > :19:09.representative on the panel who signed off the appoint ability of
:19:10. > :19:15.the candidate, that the Welsh minister decided not to appoint, it
:19:16. > :19:17.would be far better, given the Welsh Government agreed that the candidate
:19:18. > :19:25.in question was a point double, that the appointment should be made. --
:19:26. > :19:28.point. I have regular discussions with
:19:29. > :19:30.Cabinet colleagues about the UK's native industries and I am pleased
:19:31. > :19:34.that the creative industries are that the heart of the Government's
:19:35. > :19:38.work in building our industrial strategy. The green paper includes
:19:39. > :19:44.an LA sector review of the creative industries. It is critical that our
:19:45. > :19:48.world-leading creative industries have access to skills they need and
:19:49. > :19:56.this is one of the three themes of the review. I do not know she is
:19:57. > :19:59.aware, but there is an acute skills shortage in trade of industries and
:20:00. > :20:03.the simple way to change this is apprenticeship. There are
:20:04. > :20:11.insufficient training establishments and not enough support for relevant
:20:12. > :20:17.skills, compared to structural engineering. And no history of
:20:18. > :20:19.training apprenticeships in this industry. As the minister aware and
:20:20. > :20:25.what is she doing about these problems? I am very aware of these
:20:26. > :20:27.problems. There are structural problems with creative industries
:20:28. > :20:32.that have prevented apprenticeships being set up in the past. But we do
:20:33. > :20:38.have a specific works and looking at skills and I am in discussions with
:20:39. > :20:41.the Department for Education to make sure we get those apprenticeship
:20:42. > :20:48.opportunities. Mr Speaker, number six. I have been reforming the
:20:49. > :20:56.sector and widening the strength and depth as part of a long-term plan
:20:57. > :21:00.for the charity sector. Then -- there has been a recent report that
:21:01. > :21:06.there could be up to ?2 billion of additional dormant assets that could
:21:07. > :21:21.be transformational. I am grateful for that reply. In Suffolk, there
:21:22. > :21:24.was great success in grass root causes, so will the Minister meet
:21:25. > :21:27.with the Suffolk committee foundation and myself to discuss how
:21:28. > :21:34.such a challenge might be reading just? -- might be reintroduced? I am
:21:35. > :21:40.very pleased to read of the Suffolk foundation's success.
:21:41. > :21:44.There was a permanent endowment raised of ?130 million, which has
:21:45. > :21:47.provided ?5.8 million in grants to local groups up to the end of 2015
:21:48. > :21:53.and it will continue to support local community groups and projects
:21:54. > :21:56.across England in the future. There are no plans to expand this
:21:57. > :22:02.programme in the current Parliament, however I am happy to discuss this
:22:03. > :22:15.father and in due course to see if there might be some consideration of
:22:16. > :22:22.a dormant assets are spent. Number 10, please, Mr Speaker. We seems to
:22:23. > :22:26.move on very quickly there. The Government is committed to ensuring
:22:27. > :22:28.that the arts are accessible to everyone, regardless of background
:22:29. > :22:35.and not just the privileged few. That is why the Government's paper
:22:36. > :22:39.published this month set out a range of commitments to increase access
:22:40. > :22:46.and participation, including a new cultural citizens programme for
:22:47. > :22:53.young people. I wonder if the Secretary of State could read the
:22:54. > :22:57.social mobilities report... We heard a great deal about hope a lot of
:22:58. > :23:05.people were completely denied access to the arts and they are not
:23:06. > :23:10.prepared cannot afford to take unpaid work placements. Additionally
:23:11. > :23:16.limiting access. Can I suggest she takes into consideration banning
:23:17. > :23:21.unpaid internships lasting more than one month? I pictured it to the
:23:22. > :23:26.rural gentleman for what he does annual Parliamentary group. -- I pay
:23:27. > :23:30.tribute to the honourable gentleman. I will look at the points he has
:23:31. > :23:33.made. But this Government has done much to change the culture when it
:23:34. > :23:42.comes to unpaid internships. I never have taken on an unpaid intern for
:23:43. > :23:47.one and make sure there should be proper recompense for people who
:23:48. > :23:50.work in my office. My right honourable friend will obviously be
:23:51. > :23:53.aware that the Royal Opera house, particularly the ballet, which I am
:23:54. > :23:59.most familiar with, is regularly screened around the country so that
:24:00. > :24:04.anybody can see it and see it locally without having to come to
:24:05. > :24:10.London. She makes a very important point. The screening of the Royal
:24:11. > :24:15.Opera house's productions across the country has widened access to this.
:24:16. > :24:22.And I feel very strongly that we should have fantastic regional arts,
:24:23. > :24:25.including the fantastic art site visited at Hull, City of Culture,
:24:26. > :24:32.last Friday. I saw some amazing work being done to make sure arts reach
:24:33. > :24:35.everyone. Will the Secretary of State look at some of the work we
:24:36. > :24:37.did without shared the Education Committee about young people's
:24:38. > :24:52.access to the arts? Daesh middle-class children would go with
:24:53. > :24:58.parents to the arts. It is vital that we encourage schools to take
:24:59. > :25:02.kids to the arts and those things. He makes an important point. That is
:25:03. > :25:06.why it was a manifesto commitment that we would keep the access to
:25:07. > :25:15.museums to make sure there is access available to young people, whatever
:25:16. > :25:18.their background. Thank you, Mr Speaker. Local
:25:19. > :25:23.authorities should recognise the huge benefits that investing in the
:25:24. > :25:27.arts and culture can bring and many already do, building successful
:25:28. > :25:32.partnerships to deliver arts and culture and developing new models
:25:33. > :25:35.and ways of working together. The Government really ought to recognise
:25:36. > :25:40.the importance of investing in local authorities to deliver these
:25:41. > :25:42.services. Given the crisis in local authority funding, philanthropic
:25:43. > :25:50.giving is playing an increasingly important role. The Minister will be
:25:51. > :25:55.aware, I think, of the success of going public. Such as Sheffield's
:25:56. > :25:59.initiative of private giving. Would he be prepared to meet to discuss
:26:00. > :26:03.what more can be done on that front? I would be delighted to. The best
:26:04. > :26:06.local authorities and increasing investment in arts and culture
:26:07. > :26:09.because the value of it in strengthening the sense of place and
:26:10. > :26:11.in making sure arts are available to all. There's no excuse for not doing
:26:12. > :26:25.so. A new organisation called artist
:26:26. > :26:29.Taunton has been established, including the new guard in town.
:26:30. > :26:32.Would he agree this sector should have equal weighting of other
:26:33. > :26:41.sectors and can not only raises spirits, but benefit the economy?
:26:42. > :26:45.She is right, and I commend Art Taunton, and initiatives like it,
:26:46. > :26:51.for embedding arts and culture in all aspects of life. It is important
:26:52. > :26:52.that people of all ages have the opportunity and are encouraged to
:26:53. > :27:07.participate. I'm aware the concerns relating to
:27:08. > :27:11.youth football contracts in Scotland's and have followed up with
:27:12. > :27:14.the English authorities. In relation to youth football, I understand the
:27:15. > :27:18.Scottish Government is discussing these matters with stakeholders,
:27:19. > :27:26.including the football authorities, PFA Scotland. Dug god I thank her
:27:27. > :27:32.for that answer. I presume she is aware of the fact the real
:27:33. > :27:37.grassroots campaign group has highlighted some purple groups are
:27:38. > :27:42.paying as little as ?1 a week for you football players who are doing
:27:43. > :27:53.30 hours work. Can the Minister confirmed what she will do? This is
:27:54. > :27:57.a devolved issue, but I do understand the Scottish Government
:27:58. > :28:04.has emphasised strongly to the Scottish FA that concerns must be
:28:05. > :28:11.taken seriously. We take the duty of care for youngsters incredibly
:28:12. > :28:19.We are on track to deliver 95% We are on track to deliver 95%
:28:20. > :28:24.access to the UK homes and businesses were superfast broadband
:28:25. > :28:27.and by 2020 will introduce our universal negotiation to ring
:28:28. > :28:32.broadband to all parts, including the most far-flung. Like London, if
:28:33. > :28:44.you start your journey in Orkney? We have a bald improvable to boost
:28:45. > :28:52.productivity, but we are fraught it at every turn by off, regulation.
:28:53. > :28:57.But the Minister meet with me to discuss how we could actually use of
:28:58. > :29:04.calm as an enabler, rather than an abstract? Yes, I am more familiar
:29:05. > :29:07.than I would have expected with telecoms policy because of how they
:29:08. > :29:10.have managed to roll-out connectivity to the Hall of those
:29:11. > :29:15.islands and to see whether we can do that to some of the islands in
:29:16. > :29:19.Scotland. The roll-out of superfast broadband in Scotland is done
:29:20. > :29:23.through the Scottish Government, they have been much, much lower than
:29:24. > :29:27.almost every other part of the UK. At much lower than the Labour Welsh
:29:28. > :29:32.government, but I'm sure that together we can make sure we bring
:29:33. > :29:38.the country together by delivering good connectivity. I am delighted to
:29:39. > :29:49.as question number 14. We'll wondered whether the honourable
:29:50. > :29:55.gentleman would get there. Brevity. The question of privatisation is is,
:29:56. > :29:59.we see ITV profits at 26% of turnover, Channel 4 has ?1 billion.
:30:00. > :30:04.Is the government considering privatising Channel 4 and taken a
:30:05. > :30:08.quarter of that income for programming away? The honourable
:30:09. > :30:10.gentleman knows that in the fast changing and challenging
:30:11. > :30:15.broadcasting environment, the government wants to ensure Channel 4
:30:16. > :30:17.as a strong and secure future, and can provide for audiences and
:30:18. > :30:22.support the credit industries around the UK. I am looking at a broad
:30:23. > :30:32.range of options and I will report in June course. -- due course. The
:30:33. > :30:37.government announced a review of gaming machines and social
:30:38. > :30:41.responsibility measures, which included machines and we expect to
:30:42. > :30:46.publish our findings in the spring. Can the Secretary of State reassure
:30:47. > :30:50.this House that action will be taken gets fixed odds betting terminals,
:30:51. > :30:58.the so-called crack cocaine of gambling? In my own constituency,
:30:59. > :31:02.135 of these machines are in operation, which a vulnerable player
:31:03. > :31:06.can lose ?100 in a mere 20 seconds. Will the government protect the
:31:07. > :31:13.vulnerable by capping the maximum stake on these machines at ?2? This
:31:14. > :31:16.is all part of the review. The lady does not have long to wait to find
:31:17. > :31:26.out what we will be recommending as part of that review. Mr Speaker,
:31:27. > :31:30.since last oral questions, my department has launched a
:31:31. > :31:32.government's Digital strategy which will ensure we have the
:31:33. > :31:35.infrastructure, regulation and skills we need to build a world
:31:36. > :31:41.leading digital economy that works for everyone the commission
:31:42. > :31:44.identified a potential ?2 billion in assets, which could open up new
:31:45. > :31:49.streams of funding the good causes, and we are considering the best way
:31:50. > :31:53.to proceed. I visited South Korea for the third greater industries
:31:54. > :31:59.Forum and loans UK year of culture and signed a statement. And finally,
:32:00. > :32:03.I am sure at least most of the House will join me in wishing the England
:32:04. > :32:06.team well this weekend in their attempt to break New Zealand's
:32:07. > :32:14.record for the most consecutive wins in top-level rugby. Thank you, Mr
:32:15. > :32:17.Speaker. And he echoed my honourable friend from North Ayrshire, the
:32:18. > :32:23.Secretary of State will be well aware the maximum stake and fix odd
:32:24. > :32:26.betting terminals is 50 times the permitted gap. It impacts
:32:27. > :32:35.particularly in areas of high deprivation with high streets. Will
:32:36. > :32:40.she recognise there is an anomaly in gambling regulations and requires
:32:41. > :32:44.part of regulations? As she has just said, we will be making an
:32:45. > :32:53.announcement on this in the spring. I know women's cricket is going from
:32:54. > :32:57.strength to strength. Would my right honourable friend join me in
:32:58. > :33:01.congratulating Somerset County Council aground in being selected as
:33:02. > :33:07.one of just four locations to host the International women's World Cup
:33:08. > :33:11.this year? The big match to get to is July the 2nd, Sunday, England
:33:12. > :33:12.again Sri Lanka. I will be there, and you are warmly invited, as are
:33:13. > :33:25.all the ministerial team. I'm sure we all share my right
:33:26. > :33:29.honourable friend's excitement the Cricket World Cup is returning the
:33:30. > :33:32.summer. We are not alone in the report of this tournament because a
:33:33. > :33:38.record number of tickets have been sold for the final at Lord's, which
:33:39. > :33:42.is great news. Members may be interested in the first games of the
:33:43. > :33:45.tournament will coincide with women's sport week, which will
:33:46. > :33:52.provide further opportunities to celebrate women's sport. She is
:33:53. > :33:59.permanently excited, not just matters of sport, but all matters
:34:00. > :34:03.under the sun, I can tell. Does the Secretary of State feel bound by the
:34:04. > :34:11.2015 Conservative Party manifesto? Yes. Very good, that is very
:34:12. > :34:16.interesting because that manifesto promise to lift the women, to let
:34:17. > :34:22.the number of women on sports governing bodies to 25% by 2017. But
:34:23. > :34:29.it is 2017 already and we haven't achieved that. Does she think nobody
:34:30. > :34:35.would notice, or like the Chancellor and national insurance, she didn't
:34:36. > :34:41.bother to read the manifesto? Mr Speaker, we will be at 30% in 2017,
:34:42. > :34:45.which exceeds the manifesto commitment because other with this
:34:46. > :34:49.government has done on reforming sport governance and work of
:34:50. > :34:56.governing bodies, to make sure we have that right diversity and right
:34:57. > :34:59.representation on governing bodies. Suicide is a leading cause of death
:35:00. > :35:03.in young people and the biggest killer of men under 50. The
:35:04. > :35:08.Secretary of State will know their clear links between certain types of
:35:09. > :35:12.media reporting and an increase in suicide rates. Will she join me in
:35:13. > :35:16.commending the work of the Samaritans and the media guidelines
:35:17. > :35:21.suicide rates, and will she meet suicide rates, and will she meet
:35:22. > :35:24.with me to discuss the findings today's select committee report on
:35:25. > :35:28.preventing suicide because of the role of the media and social media
:35:29. > :35:34.and the role of the Internet and what we can do to reduce rates? I
:35:35. > :35:38.commend my honourable friend for her work, and look forward to reading
:35:39. > :35:48.the report. But she is right that the role media can have in helping
:35:49. > :35:52.to prevent suicides, and not call suicides, is important, and I will
:35:53. > :35:59.of course it down and discuss that matter with her. Is the Secretary of
:36:00. > :36:04.State aware that more than 300 local newspapers have closed in the past
:36:05. > :36:07.ten years? And whilst members may enjoy it enjoy reading about
:36:08. > :36:11.skateboarding dogs, it is a critical part of our democracy. As such, will
:36:12. > :36:16.she join is affording the National Union of Journalists and make local
:36:17. > :36:23.news matters week campaign week, and which she meet with them and
:36:24. > :36:27.discussed is critical part of our democracy? Absolutely, local
:36:28. > :36:34.newspapers are incredibly important. We all engage with them as MPs and
:36:35. > :36:41.obviously at a national level. I'm happy to meet with them as he
:36:42. > :36:47.suggests. Ely Cathedral has benefited from funding for essential
:36:48. > :36:52.building work from the World War I all fun. It makes a significant
:36:53. > :36:58.conjuration to community life. What long-term funding is there for
:36:59. > :37:00.Cathedral going forward? I was delighted recently to announce
:37:01. > :37:05.additional funding to both Ely Cathedral and too many of our other
:37:06. > :37:08.cathedrals around the country. They play an important part of our
:37:09. > :37:12.appreciation of heritage within the eye ticking down, and therefore we
:37:13. > :37:15.continue to support the national, the Heritage Lottery Fund -- within
:37:16. > :37:34.the community. I'm sure you watch S4 C. What is the
:37:35. > :37:42.government doing to safeguard it, especially with regard to nations
:37:43. > :37:47.services? Of course, the prominence is important is, and we are also
:37:48. > :37:51.ensuring S4 C gets funding it needs with more than 6 million last year,
:37:52. > :37:56.more than 6 million next year. We support S4C, we made that clear
:37:57. > :38:04.repeatedly. It was a great Tory invention and we will support it. In
:38:05. > :38:07.a woeful performance in front of the home affairs select committee,
:38:08. > :38:12.managers from Google and Twitter and Facebook admitted they do nothing
:38:13. > :38:18.virtually to reduce hate speech, extremism or child abuse being
:38:19. > :38:23.hosted on their sides. Not time we proactively pursue German proposals
:38:24. > :38:27.that would see social media companies fined if they fail to take
:38:28. > :38:32.down site within 24 hours, or prevent them in the first place? I
:38:33. > :38:35.saw his comments on this in the newspapers this morning and I can
:38:36. > :38:38.reassure him that government is attempt to everything we can to
:38:39. > :38:43.stamp out hate crime, which has no place in society. We do have some of
:38:44. > :38:47.the strongest legislation on hate crime and do expect social media
:38:48. > :38:50.companies to respond quickly to instances of abusive behaviour on
:38:51. > :38:55.their networks, but we also know we have much more we can do, which is
:38:56. > :39:03.why we have just announced work and Internet safety structure, which I
:39:04. > :39:06.have taken forward, aimed at making Britain the safest country in the
:39:07. > :39:08.world for children and young people online. Many of my constituency have
:39:09. > :39:11.contacted me about concerns that young people accessing extreme
:39:12. > :39:15.Internet pornography. Could the Minister tell me what the government
:39:16. > :39:18.are doing to work with calm and viewed the Internet service
:39:19. > :39:24.providers to protect young people and children? This is an important
:39:25. > :39:29.point and in the Digital economy Bill, we are bringing age
:39:30. > :39:33.verification processes so that all pornography cannot be accessed by
:39:34. > :39:36.those under the age of 18, and they will be required to block sites that
:39:37. > :39:41.don't put this age verification in place. It is important, it will be
:39:42. > :39:46.coming, it is in the Lords at the moment, and will be coming back to
:39:47. > :39:48.the House shortly. I would like to add to the excitement of my
:39:49. > :39:54.honourable friend from Taunton because we have the world Cricket
:39:55. > :39:57.launched in Derby. I would like to say that having recently discovered
:39:58. > :40:01.might in a worry are playing rugby with England rugby and local derby
:40:02. > :40:04.team, and having my first tackle, I would like to ask the Minister what
:40:05. > :40:13.we are doing in terms of encouraging more women to play sport? Derby has,
:40:14. > :40:15.I know from personal experience, fantastic sporting opportunities for
:40:16. > :40:19.everyone and it is incredibly important we see more women playing
:40:20. > :40:28.sports and feeling they can take part. The yes girl campaign campaign
:40:29. > :40:32.is part of that, as is the fantastic women's World Cup, and I know one of
:40:33. > :40:40.the matches is in Derby, I think I'm going to the one N Nestor, I have to
:40:41. > :40:44.confines. Following on from the question -- Leicester. They have
:40:45. > :40:47.been campaigning on the issue of exploitation within football to the
:40:48. > :40:54.2010, and Scottish Parliament is investigating it. Will he meet with
:40:55. > :41:01.me to discuss it further and commit to ensure football clubs meet the
:41:02. > :41:05.enforcement rules? I'm always delighted to meet with honourable
:41:06. > :41:09.colleagues and I will be delighted to meet him. Questions to the
:41:10. > :41:29.Attorney General. I have regular discussions with
:41:30. > :41:32.ministerial colleagues, and we will publish the great repeal Bill
:41:33. > :41:42.injured course. That will determine the process to take it forward.
:41:43. > :41:45.Last month, the Secretary of State for Scotland confirmed that a
:41:46. > :41:49.legislative consent motion would be required from the Scottish
:41:50. > :41:50.Parliament for the great repeal bill. In