Oral Answers to Questions

Alun Michael Excerpts

Thursday 9th February 2012 Commons Chamber

[Hugh Robertson]

Yes, I shall certainly work towards reforming the global game. The points the hon. Gentleman makes about the structure of the ICC are indeed correct. As far as Wales is concerned—I think Wales lies under his question—it is worth recording the very real contribution that many Welshmen have made to English cricket. At a time like the present, when independence is very much the political currency, it is worth noting that one of the men most closely associated with England’s rise to the top of the test rankings is Hugh Morris, who is of course Welsh.

[Alun Michael (Cardiff South and Penarth) (Lab/Co-op)]

11. What assessment he has made of the potential effect of new financing arrangements on the editorial and operational independence of S4C.

[The Secretary of State for Culture, Olympics, Media and Sport (Mr Jeremy Hunt)]

I agree with the assessment of the new independent chairman of S4C that financial and governance arrangements agreed between the BBC and S4C will

“safeguard the Welsh language services provided by S4C for the foreseeable future”

and

“allow S4C to maintain its editorial and managerial independence.”

[Alun Michael]

I thank the Secretary of State for that reply, but why have he and the BBC explicitly ruled out operational independence? The cut in grant is 24% over four years, but the cut against anticipated income is some 32%, which is really challenging. Is it not important for S4C to be able to manage its own business and have operational independence?

[Mr Hunt]

We do want S4C to learn from what the BBC does as a much larger broadcaster—it is one of the most successful public service broadcasters in the world, if not the most successful—in how it runs its operations, because S4C has been through a very difficult period. The most important thing is editorial independence, so that there is a choice of Welsh language services and plurality of news provision in Wales. I point out to the right hon. Gentleman that the new agreement between the BBC and S4C is supported not just by peers from his party but also by Plaid Cymru in the other place.