Oral Answers to Questions

Daniel Zeichner Excerpts

Thursday 9th July 2015 Commons Chamber

[Tracey Crouch]

Women’s cycling is incredibly important and something I would like to see more of. The recent tour was the start of great things to come, and I am certainly a supporter of a female Tour de France.

[Daniel Zeichner (Cambridge) (Lab)]

4. What assessment he has made of the BBC’s financial capability to broadcast listed sports events in preparing for discussions on the BBC’s next charter renewal and future funding.

[The Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport (Mr John Whittingdale)]

This will be among the many issues up for consideration as part of the charter review, and I shall be making an announcement about the review in due course.

[Daniel Zeichner]

The Secretary of State will be aware that Ofcom is currently reviewing who is entitled to broadcast listed events. We are in Wimbledon fortnight, and the whole country is united in watching this great event, but with the BBC so financially constrained, how can he assure people that the whole country, regardless of ability to pay, will be able to follow the dramas and successes of British sports people in the future?

[Mr Whittingdale]

The hon. Gentleman will be aware that we maintain a list of events that are required to be shown on free-to-air television, and the Wimbledon tennis finals are on that list. The non-finals matches are on the B list, which ensures that secondary coverage is protected. It is ultimately a matter for the sport, however, as to whom it sells the rights to.