Media: S4C

Debate between Baroness Rawlings and Lord Morris of Aberavon

Wednesday 5th October 2011 Lords Chamber

[Baroness Rawlings]

My Lords, I understand my noble friend Lord Roberts’ concern about S4C, as he was its original founder, but I should like to reassure him that the amended BBC agreement which has been laid in Parliament states that there will be new governance arrangements. This will happen only when they have been agreed by S4C, the BBC and DCMS. Naturally, there will be a balance and it will not be dominated by the BBC.

[Lord Morris of Aberavon]

Does the Minister understand that there is immense concern in Wales about the delay over so many months in reaching an arrangement between the BBC and S4C? The chairman has been appointed; I welcome the appointment very much. Ministers have stressed the need for independence of S4C. Is the BBC using its muscle, as the noble Lord, Lord Roberts, said, and putting too much pressure on S4C in the discussions? When they reach a point of agreement, will it be with the personal approval of the Secretary of State?

[Baroness Rawlings]

The noble and learned Lord is absolutely right on that point, but the Government are not delaying. The officials at DCMS are working with S4C and the BBC Trust on the governance structure of their new partnership. The new chairman has been appointed and the appointment has gone down very well. Mr Heath said in the other place that he hoped that the negotiations will be completed by Report in the other place.

Public Bodies Bill [HL]

Debate between Baroness Rawlings and Lord Morris of Aberavon

Wednesday 9th March 2011 Lords Chamber

[Baroness Rawlings]

These discussions have been ongoing throughout. The noble Lord also asked whether there was prior consultation with the Welsh Assembly Government. Given the scale and pace of the spending review and the licence fee settlement discussions, it was not practical to have in-depth discussions with all the interested parties ahead of the announcement. The timeframe reflected the Government's desire to put the UK finances in order.

[Lord Morris of Aberavon]

If the sole or main problem for the inclusion of S4C in the schedule is the problem of the RPI formula, will the noble Baroness go back to consider by Report whether S4C should be withdrawn from the schedule and the Government table in its place a particular amendment dealing with the problem of the RPI formula?

Broadcasting: S4C

Debate between Baroness Rawlings and Lord Morris of Aberavon

Thursday 28th October 2010 Lords Chamber

[Baroness Rawlings]

My Lords, my noble friend Lord Roberts and many of your Lordships involved with Wales mind passionately about S4C, and he is right to raise the issue. I hope I can assure my noble friend and the House that its funding is secure for the next four years. This will enable S4C to structure itself for the modern broadcasting environment and, importantly, it will retain its commercial freedom.

[Lord Morris of Aberavon]

My Lords, does that not mean that there will be less money for Welsh television year by year? Because of the dangers of the BBC exercising too much influence in the new arrangements, will the Government assure us that there will be firm guidelines regarding the relationship in the new partnership?

[Baroness Rawlings]

My Lords, the noble and learned Lord is right, and that point has been brought up many times. The exact level of funding is not yet set beyond 2014-15. While future funding will reflect overlaps and efficiencies, it will remain consistent with the commitment to a strong and independent Welsh language TV service.