Oral Answers to Questions

Graham P Jones Excerpts

Thursday 16th March 2017 Commons Chamber

[Matt Hancock]

Yes, I would be delighted to. I am more familiar than I would ever have expected to be with Faroese Telecom’s policy because of how it has managed to roll out connectivity to the whole of those islands, and we should see whether we can do that for some of the islands in Scotland. Of course, the roll-out of superfast broadband in Scotland is done through the Scottish Government. They have been much, much slower than almost every other part of the UK—much slower than the Labour Welsh Government—but I am sure that, together, we can ensure that we bring the country together by delivering good connectivity.

[Graham Jones (Hyndburn) (Lab)]

14. When she plans to make an announcement on the future status of Channel 4.

[The Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport (Karen Bradley)]

In due course.

[Graham Jones]

Brevity.

The question about privatisation is this: ITV’s profits are 26% of turnover, and Channel 4 has a £1 billion turnover. Are the Government seriously considering privatising Channel 4 and taking a quarter of its income for programming away?

[Karen Bradley]

The hon. Gentleman knows that in a fast-changing and challenging broadcasting environment, the Government want to ensure that Channel 4 has a strong and secure future, and that it can provide for audiences and support creative industries around the UK. I am looking at a broad range of options and, as I have said, I will report in due course.