Television Broadcasts: Audibility
Debate between Baroness Grender and Lord Ashton of Hyde
Lord Ashton of Hyde
My Lords, the noble Lord is exactly right. There are many reasons why audibility could be a problem. However, the fact is that it is the responsibility of broadcasters to produce programmes that are audible under normal conditions, and they always try to do that. At the end of the day, no broadcaster wants to make programmes that people cannot hear.
Baroness Grender (LD)
My Lords, does the Minister agree that now more than ever the BBC is needed to deliver real news and ditch fake news, especially on a day when our own Prime Minister has condemned the National Trust for something it has not done while she is trying to do deals in a country where, if you tried to organise an Easter egg hunt, you would probably end up in prison?
Lord Ashton of Hyde
All the channels have a responsibility to provide impartial news and are regulated by Ofcom, including, very soon, the BBC.
Artists: Workspaces in Cities
Debate between Baroness Grender and Lord Ashton of Hyde
Lord Ashton of Hyde
I agree. This is one of the world’s great cities. One reason for that and for so many people coming to visit it is its vibrant arts scene. All I was saying to the noble Earl was that we want to shift the balance a bit to increase funding outside London. It is part of the tourism strategy as well to show foreign visitors that there is more to this country than just London, albeit that London is a great city.
Baroness Grender (LD)
My Lords, does the Minister agree with Josh Baum, a poet from Hackney, who gracefully defines the issue by saying:
“When you see the Waitrose vans driving round the corner, you know the end is coming”?
Will the Minister commit to the Government working with local authorities and in particular the Mayor of London, to ensure that a healthy combination of artists, workspaces and Waitrose vans happily co-exists?
Lord Ashton of Hyde
I found it a bit difficult to hear some of that Question because my noble friend Lord Price was chuckling due to the reference to his prior existence. We want a mix of arts, culture, Waitrose and any other supermarket we can think of.