Oral Answers to Questions Debate

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Department: Leader of the House

Oral Answers to Questions

Andrew Bridgen Excerpts
Thursday 9th July 2015

(9 years, 3 months ago)

Commons Chamber
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John Whittingdale Portrait Mr Whittingdale
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I have been in correspondence with the Scottish Government Minister and we have given an assurance that we will abide by the terms of the Smith commission agreement. We will, therefore, involve the Scottish Government and, indeed, the Governments of the Welsh and Northern Ireland Assemblies in the charter review process. I shall give further details in due course.

Andrew Bridgen Portrait Andrew Bridgen (North West Leicestershire) (Con)
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Will the Secretary of State confirm whether decriminalisation of non-payment of the TV licence formed any part of his recent negotiation with the BBC when it agreed to fund the over-75s licence fee? Has he already conceded this issue to the BBC?

John Whittingdale Portrait Mr Whittingdale
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As I announced to the House on Monday, that does form part of the agreement we have reached with the BBC, in that we have said that decriminalisation will be considered as part of the charter review process. I shall publish David Perry’s report on that matter very shortly.