Asked by: Guto Bebb (Independent - Aberconwy)
Question to the Department for Digital, Culture, Media & Sport:
To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport, if he will make a comparative assessment of the effects of (a) judicial review standard and (b) merits-based appeals on the ability of Ofcom to carry out its functions.
Answered by Lord Vaizey of Didcot
The Government has already assessed the impacts of both standards of review. This was done as part of its analysis prior to consulting on options for reforming Regulatory and Competition Appeals in 2013.Asked by: Guto Bebb (Independent - Aberconwy)
Question to the Department for Digital, Culture, Media & Sport:
To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport, if he will make a comparative assessment of the cost of (a) legal fees and (b) legal advice relating to appeals of regulatory decisions to (i) Ofcom and (ii) other regulators in (A) 2013-14, (B) 2012-13 and (C) 2011-12.
Answered by Lord Vaizey of Didcot
There are no plans to make a comparative assessment. Information about legal costs relating to appeals of regulatory decisions can be sought directly from Ofcom and other economic regulators, who are independent from Government.Asked by: Guto Bebb (Independent - Aberconwy)
Question to the Department for Digital, Culture, Media & Sport:
To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport, what representations his Department has received on extending the Blood Swept Lands and Seas of Red poppy installation at the Tower of London beyond 11 November 2014.
Answered by Helen Grant - Shadow Solicitor General
Five public petitions on this subject have come to DCMS. We have been pleased to help some of the most striking sections of this poignant memorial, by purchasing them for the nation. The Government is pleased to have helped make it possible for these to be seen in different parts of the country before finding a permanent home in the Imperial War Museums.
Asked by: Guto Bebb (Independent - Aberconwy)
Question to the Department for Digital, Culture, Media & Sport:
To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport, pursuant to the Answer of 17 June 2014 to Question 200020, what reports he has received of political bias in the prioritisation of the broadband rollout programme in Wales; if he will hold discussions with the Welsh Government on this matter; and if he will ensure that all areas in Wales benefit equally from the broadband rollout programme.
Answered by Lord Vaizey of Didcot
World class broadband coverage across the UK is a priority for this Government. Funding for all local projects, including the Wales project has been allocated to achieve maximum coverage and value for money from the public investment.
At the end of September 2014 276,320 premises had been reached.
The Superfast Cymru project is set to achieve 93% superfast broadband coverage by the end of 2017.
Asked by: Guto Bebb (Independent - Aberconwy)
Question to the Department for Digital, Culture, Media & Sport:
To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport, what discussions he has had with Ofcom on the merits of passive infrastructure sharing in partial not-spots; and what information he has on the changes that would be required to the upgrade and sharing elements of the electronic communications code to enable this.
Answered by Lord Vaizey of Didcot
The Government is committed to improving mobile coverage for all consumers, and is currently in discussions with Ofcom and relevant Mobile Network Operators. We have been looking at a number of options for improving coverage in partial not-spot areas, including passive infrastructure sharing and national roaming. We are also considering the impact of reforms to the Electronic Communications Code, in the broader context of supporting communications infrastructure in an effort to improve mobile network coverage. The Government is aware that reforms will need to balance the interests of all stakeholders involved.
The Secretary of State is considering his position on Code reform and will outline plans shortly. The Government is committed to ensuring the UK has world-class mobile coverage.
Asked by: Guto Bebb (Independent - Aberconwy)
Question to the Department for Digital, Culture, Media & Sport:
To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport, what steps he is taking to encourage competition in the rural broadband market.
Answered by Lord Vaizey of Didcot
Almost 100 publicly funded contracts to provide superfast broadband to rural communities have gone out to tender following an Open Market Review. As well as BT a number of smaller suppliers are now delivering projects in rural communities. In addition, 8 suppliers have been appointed to run pilot projects to assess the feasibility of providing superfast broadband to the hardest to reach areas.
Asked by: Guto Bebb (Independent - Aberconwy)
Question to the Department for Digital, Culture, Media & Sport:
To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport, what recent discussions he has had with his counterpart in the Welsh Assembly Government on the broadband rollout programme in Wales.
Answered by Lord Vaizey of Didcot
The Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport has not discussed broadband rollout with his counterpart in the Welsh Assembly Government, since being appointed on 9 April 2014. However, DCMS officials have weekly discussions with Welsh Assembly officials on this subject.