Oral Answers to Questions

Andrew Turner Excerpts

Monday 26th July 2010 Commons Chamber

[Hugh Robertson]

The first and obvious point is that 1,263 schools and colleges in the north-west are already registered for the London 2012 education programme. That is a process that will continue. It is part of highlighting the two years to go celebrations tomorrow and it is a process that we will continue as we move closer to the games.

[Mr Andrew Turner (Isle of Wight) (Con)]

16. If he will have discussions with industry representatives on promoting the use of superfast broadband on the Isle of Wight.

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

The Isle of Wight does not have good or consistent broadband coverage and this Government are determined to sort it out.

[Mr Turner]

The economy of the Isle of Wight is markedly poorer than in the rest of the south-east because of our separation by sea. Access to superfast broadband would help. When is it likely to become comprehensively available everywhere on the island?

[Mr Hunt]

My hon. Friend is right to talk about the importance of superfast broadband and not just low-speed broadband for somewhere such as the Isle of Wight. We have said that we are committed to having the fastest superfast broadband network in Europe by the end of this Parliament, and we are doing everything possible both to stimulate private sector investment in our broadband network and to have a coherent strategy for dealing with rural and remote areas such as the Isle of Wight. We are happy to work closely with him to ensure that the Isle of Wight is part of that success story.

--- Later in debate ---

The hon. Member for Middlesbrough, representing the House of Commons Commission, was asked—

[Mr Andrew Turner (Isle of Wight) (Con)]

4. If the House of Commons Commission will bring forward proposals to reduce parliamentary recording unit charges for small independent broadcasters.

[Sir Stuart Bell (Middlesbrough)]

We have already taken action. In anticipating new licensing arrangements due to come into effect in August 2011, we have decided to stop charging copyright licence fees to broadcasters for the material that we hold.

[Mr Turner]

It sounds as if I must be very grateful for that. I hope that the hon. Gentleman will now give me further information.

[Sir Stuart Bell]

I am aware that the hon. Gentleman has had discussions with the parliamentary recording unit. He has been very diligent, and I congratulate him on that. As he knows, the principles and level of charges were originally set out in 1993 by what was then the Select Committee on Broadcasting and have thereafter been reviewed at official level. The technical duplication charges, to which the hon. Gentleman did not refer but which I know he understands, will be reviewed during the business planning for the new broadcasting arrangements that will be introduced in August 2011.