Asked by: Lord Alton of Liverpool (Crossbench - Life peer)
Question to the Department for Digital, Culture, Media & Sport:
To ask His Majesty's Government, further to the remarks by Baroness Twycross on 22 July (HL Deb col 136–40), what consideration they are giving to the legal opinion by Tom Cross KC on 16 July that the Secretary of State is required to undertake a fuller investigation of the proposed acquisition of the Telegraph Media Group by Redbird Capital, having particular regard to evidence of the latter's links to China; and whether they will issue a response to that opinion.
Answered by Baroness Twycross - Baroness in Waiting (HM Household) (Whip)
The Secretary of State takes her quasi-judicial responsibilities under the Enterprise Act 2002 very seriously. She will take all relevant information available into consideration when determining whether any of the public interest tests or conditions for foreign state influence are met in any proposed purchase of the Telegraph Media Group. DCMS will keep Parliament updated on decisions relating to the transaction.
Asked by: Lord Alton of Liverpool (Crossbench - Life peer)
Question to the Department for Digital, Culture, Media & Sport:
To ask His Majesty's Government what plans they have to issue, under Schedule 6B of the Enterprise Act 2002, a foreign state intervention notice in relation to the sale of the Telegraph Media Group to RedBird Capital Partners.
Answered by Baroness Twycross - Baroness in Waiting (HM Household) (Whip)
The Secretary of State takes her quasi-judicial responsibilities under the Enterprise Act 2002 very seriously. She will take all relevant information available into consideration when determining whether any of the public interest tests or conditions for foreign state influence are met in any proposed purchase of the Telegraph Media Group. DCMS will keep Parliament updated on decisions relating to the transaction.
Asked by: Lord Alton of Liverpool (Crossbench - Life peer)
Question to the Department for Digital, Culture, Media & Sport:
To ask His Majesty's Government, with reference to the proposed acquisition of Telegraph Media Group (TMG) by RedBird IMI, what steps they will take to ensure the editorial independence of TMG, given recent reports in the Times about editorial interventions in CNN Business Arabic by International Media Investments, the primary investor in RedBird IMI, following its guarantees of editorial freedom.
Answered by Lord Parkinson of Whitley Bay - Shadow Minister (Culture, Media and Sport)
On 26 January the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport issued a new Public Interest Intervention Notice in respect of the anticipated acquisition of Telegraph Media Group by RB Investco Ltd.
This follows Redbird IMI making changes to the corporate structure of the potential acquiring entities of the Telegraph Media Group. This created a new limited partnership which would hold all shares in RB Investco – the proposed purchaser of Telegraph Media Group. The Secretary of State has come to the conclusion that this corporate restructure creates a new relevant merger situation.
The Notice triggers a requirement for the Competition and Markets Authority (CMA) to report to the Secretary of State on jurisdictional and competition matters, and for Ofcom to report on the specified media public interest considerations. Ofcom and the CMA have now both launched invitations for public comment, and will report to the Secretary of State on the issues specified in the Notice by 9.00 a.m. on 11 March 2024.
The Public Interest Intervention Notice issued on 30 November 2023 in regard to the acquisition of Telegraph Media Group Limited by RedBird IMI Media Joint Venture LLC remains in force. The deadline by when the Secretary of State expects to receive Ofcom and the CMA’s reports in relation to this Notice has also been extended to 9.00 a.m. on 11 March 2024 so as to align with the deadline for the reports she has requested in relation to the new Notice.
The Pre-emptive Action Order made on 1 December 2023 remains in force.
It would be inappropriate to comment further at this time given this is an ongoing regulatory intervention.
Asked by: Lord Alton of Liverpool (Crossbench - Life peer)
Question to the Department for Digital, Culture, Media & Sport:
To ask His Majesty's Government what plans they have, following the letter from the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport to RedBird IMI, dated 22 November 2023, to reconsider the decision not to issue a Public Interest Intervention Notice in respect of Transaction 1 identified in that letter, given subsequent media reports that RedBird IMI will have control over any potential onward sale of Telegraph Media Group.
Answered by Lord Parkinson of Whitley Bay - Shadow Minister (Culture, Media and Sport)
On 26 January the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport issued a new Public Interest Intervention Notice in respect of the anticipated acquisition of Telegraph Media Group by RB Investco Ltd.
This follows Redbird IMI making changes to the corporate structure of the potential acquiring entities of the Telegraph Media Group. This created a new limited partnership which would hold all shares in RB Investco – the proposed purchaser of Telegraph Media Group. The Secretary of State has come to the conclusion that this corporate restructure creates a new relevant merger situation.
The Notice triggers a requirement for the Competition and Markets Authority (CMA) to report to the Secretary of State on jurisdictional and competition matters, and for Ofcom to report on the specified media public interest considerations. Ofcom and the CMA have now both launched invitations for public comment, and will report to the Secretary of State on the issues specified in the Notice by 9.00 a.m. on 11 March 2024.
The Public Interest Intervention Notice issued on 30 November 2023 in regard to the acquisition of Telegraph Media Group Limited by RedBird IMI Media Joint Venture LLC remains in force. The deadline by when the Secretary of State expects to receive Ofcom and the CMA’s reports in relation to this Notice has also been extended to 9.00 a.m. on 11 March 2024 so as to align with the deadline for the reports she has requested in relation to the new Notice.
The Pre-emptive Action Order made on 1 December 2023 remains in force.
It would be inappropriate to comment further at this time given this is an ongoing regulatory intervention.
Asked by: Lord Alton of Liverpool (Crossbench - Life peer)
Question to the Department for Digital, Culture, Media & Sport:
To ask His Majesty's Government, what assessment they have made of the long-term effectiveness of behavioural remedies, such as the independent editorial trust board for proposed by RedBird IMI in the event of its acquisition of the Telegraph Media Group, and the ongoing ability of regulators and the government to oversee and ensure the effectiveness of those remedies.
Answered by Lord Parkinson of Whitley Bay - Shadow Minister (Culture, Media and Sport)
On 26 January the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport issued a new Public Interest Intervention Notice in respect of the anticipated acquisition of Telegraph Media Group by RB Investco Ltd.
This follows Redbird IMI making changes to the corporate structure of the potential acquiring entities of the Telegraph Media Group. This created a new limited partnership which would hold all shares in RB Investco – the proposed purchaser of Telegraph Media Group. The Secretary of State has come to the conclusion that this corporate restructure creates a new relevant merger situation.
The Notice triggers a requirement for the Competition and Markets Authority (CMA) to report to the Secretary of State on jurisdictional and competition matters, and for Ofcom to report on the specified media public interest considerations. Ofcom and the CMA have now both launched invitations for public comment, and will report to the Secretary of State on the issues specified in the Notice by 9.00 a.m. on 11 March 2024.
The Public Interest Intervention Notice issued on 30 November 2023 in regard to the acquisition of Telegraph Media Group Limited by RedBird IMI Media Joint Venture LLC remains in force. The deadline by when the Secretary of State expects to receive Ofcom and the CMA’s reports in relation to this Notice has also been extended to 9.00 a.m. on 11 March 2024 so as to align with the deadline for the reports she has requested in relation to the new Notice.
The Pre-emptive Action Order made on 1 December 2023 remains in force.
It would be inappropriate to comment further at this time given this is an ongoing regulatory intervention.
Asked by: Lord Alton of Liverpool (Crossbench - Life peer)
Question to the Department for Digital, Culture, Media & Sport:
To ask His Majesty's Government whether they have had, or plan to have, consultations with individuals or organisations other than Ofcom and the Competition and Markets Authority in relation to the proposed acquisition of the Telegraph Media Group by RedBird IMI; and, if so, with which individuals or organisations.
Answered by Lord Parkinson of Whitley Bay - Shadow Minister (Culture, Media and Sport)
On 26 January the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport issued a new Public Interest Intervention Notice in respect of the anticipated acquisition of Telegraph Media Group by RB Investco Ltd.
This follows Redbird IMI making changes to the corporate structure of the potential acquiring entities of the Telegraph Media Group. This created a new limited partnership which would hold all shares in RB Investco – the proposed purchaser of Telegraph Media Group. The Secretary of State has come to the conclusion that this corporate restructure creates a new relevant merger situation.
The Notice triggers a requirement for the Competition and Markets Authority (CMA) to report to the Secretary of State on jurisdictional and competition matters, and for Ofcom to report on the specified media public interest considerations. Ofcom and the CMA have now both launched invitations for public comment, and will report to the Secretary of State on the issues specified in the Notice by 9.00 a.m. on 11 March 2024.
The Public Interest Intervention Notice issued on 30 November 2023 in regard to the acquisition of Telegraph Media Group Limited by RedBird IMI Media Joint Venture LLC remains in force. The deadline by when the Secretary of State expects to receive Ofcom and the CMA’s reports in relation to this Notice has also been extended to 9.00 a.m. on 11 March 2024 so as to align with the deadline for the reports she has requested in relation to the new Notice.
The Pre-emptive Action Order made on 1 December 2023 remains in force.
It would be inappropriate to comment further at this time given this is an ongoing regulatory intervention.
Asked by: Lord Alton of Liverpool (Crossbench - Life peer)
Question to the Department for Digital, Culture, Media & Sport:
To ask His Majesty's Government what assessment they have made of any (1) security, and (2) ethical, risks posed by the installation of 38 new CCTV cameras made by Chinese state-owned firm Hikvision as part of security arrangements for His Majesty the King's Coronation.
Answered by Lord Parkinson of Whitley Bay - Shadow Minister (Culture, Media and Sport)
The Coronation of Their Majesties King Charles III and Queen Camilla was an historic and hugely important occasion, which brought hundreds of thousands of people out to the streets of London – and around the whole kingdom – to celebrate. To ensure that the event was safe and well-ordered, a number of services were sub-contracted, including the provision of additional CCTV where necessary. This was done to help manage crowds, ensuring the safety of the public along the Procession.
As is standard in commercial arrangements like this, HM Government was not asked to approve the use of specific cameras. These cameras were temporarily installed at street level along the route of the procession, and were removed immediately after the weekend of the Coronation. The cameras were not part of the security arrangements for the Coronation. The cameras were standalone CCTV cameras which were connected to a secure UK private event network which cannot be accessed or shared outside the country.
Asked by: Lord Alton of Liverpool (Crossbench - Life peer)
Question to the Department for Digital, Culture, Media & Sport:
To ask His Majesty's Government what consideration they gave to the Written Statement by Baroness Neville-Rolfe on 24 November 2022 (HLWS376) during the procurement of 38 new Hikvision CCTV cameras as part of security arrangements for His Majesty the King's Coronation.
Answered by Lord Parkinson of Whitley Bay - Shadow Minister (Culture, Media and Sport)
The Coronation of Their Majesties King Charles III and Queen Camilla was an historic and hugely important occasion, which brought hundreds of thousands of people out to the streets of London – and around the whole kingdom – to celebrate. To ensure that the event was safe and well-ordered, a number of services were sub-contracted, including the provision of additional CCTV where necessary. This was done to help manage crowds, ensuring the safety of the public along the Procession.
As is standard in commercial arrangements like this, HM Government was not asked to approve the use of specific cameras. These cameras were temporarily installed at street level along the route of the procession, and were removed immediately after the weekend of the Coronation. The cameras were not part of the security arrangements for the Coronation. The cameras were standalone CCTV cameras which were connected to a secure UK private event network which cannot be accessed or shared outside the country.
Asked by: Lord Alton of Liverpool (Crossbench - Life peer)
Question to the Department for Digital, Culture, Media & Sport:
To ask Her Majesty's Government what impact the proposed takeover of Newport Wafer Fab will have on the UK's ambition in the Global Britain in a Competitive Age integrated review, published March 2021, for the UK to be a "digital and data hub" and transition to a "zero-carbon economy"; whether this will require the UK's semi-conductor supply chain to be secured; and what is the basis for their belief that the government of China has stated its aim to buy the UK's (1) semi-conductor capabilities, and (2) the associated intellectual property.
Answered by Lord Parkinson of Whitley Bay - Shadow Minister (Culture, Media and Sport)
Her Majesty’s Government recognises the importance of semiconductor technology to key UK industries, our ambitions in the Integrated Review, and the wider digital ecosystem. The Government is reviewing its approach to the UK’s global semiconductor sector, working with industry experts, international partners, and representative bodies.
Her Majesty’s Government will not accept investments which compromise our national security, and all investment must meet stringent legal and regulatory requirements to protect the UK’s national interest. As an open economy, however, we welcome foreign trade and investment where it supports UK growth and jobs.
Asked by: Lord Alton of Liverpool (Crossbench - Life peer)
Question to the Department for Digital, Culture, Media & Sport:
To ask Her Majesty's Government what assessment they have made of the China State Council's A Next Generation Artificial Intelligence Development Plan, published on 20 July 2017, in permitting the export of Artificial Intelligence driven devices to the UK.
Answered by Lord Parkinson of Whitley Bay - Shadow Minister (Culture, Media and Sport)
HM Government has a comprehensive set of artificial intelligence policies, including our recent National AI Strategy. This strategy will ensure that the UK’s AI ecosystem continues to flourish, so that the UK has the continued domestic capability to be a world leader in AI across all sectors.
In the development of our own approach to sectors and technologies, we keep abreast of other international plans and strategies for artificial intelligence, and their implications for the UK. We are committed to getting the national and international governance of AI technologies right in order to encourage innovation and investment, and to protect the public and our fundamental values. Given the UK’s strength in AI research, innovation, and governance, we are in a position to make a unique and important contribution to the development of global standards for AI, and to lead thinking in this arena.
We are familiar with China’s Artificial Intelligence Development Plan, issued in 2017, but recognise that it does not in isolation represent the entirety of China’s AI strategy. We note that China last year imposed its own export restrictions on its domestically generated AI technology. On 8 December 2021 the Secretary of State for International Trade informed Parliament in a written statement about a package of measures to update the export control regime. The recent review concluded that there were anomalies and inconsistencies within the UK's export control regime, and, as a result, China has been added to the list of those destinations subject to military end-use controls. The updated licensing criteria for strategic export controls apply to all goods, software, and technology which are subject to control for strategic reasons.