Sky/21st Century Fox: Proposed Merger

Diana Johnson Excerpts

Monday 6th March 2017 Commons Chamber

[Karen Bradley]

I have come to the House today to say that I am minded to refer the matter to Ofcom. I await further recommendations, which I will look at carefully, and I will return to this House when I have made a final decision on whether to intervene.

[Diana Johnson (Kingston upon Hull North) (Lab)]

Many constituents have contacted me, too. I understand that the Secretary of State cannot talk about the substantive issues, but can she give an estimate for when a final decision will be made? Also, if the merger is refused, will it be open to the Murdochs to keep coming back again and again on the issue?

[Karen Bradley]

I do not wish to detain the House, so perhaps it would be helpful if I wrote to the hon. Lady to set out the precise details of the law, as set out in the Enterprise Act, and the various stages that apply to media mergers.