Oral Answers to Questions Debate

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Ian C. Lucas

Main Page: Ian C. Lucas (Labour - Wrexham)

Oral Answers to Questions

Ian C. Lucas Excerpts
Thursday 21st January 2016

(8 years, 9 months ago)

Commons Chamber
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Lord Vaizey of Didcot Portrait Mr Vaizey
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Of course. I am well aware of the “Poldark” effect. In fact, I am often mistaken for Aidan Turner’s body double. There are 13 great production companies in Cornwall. Our film tax relief has brought more than £7 billion of film investment to the UK as a whole, and I can assure my hon. Friend that we will continue to support productions in Cornwall.

John Bercow Portrait Mr Speaker
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Does the hon. Gentleman undertake to question exclusively with reference to Cornwall?

Ian C. Lucas Portrait Ian C. Lucas
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Indeed. Independent production companies in Cornwall and other areas of the country benefit hugely from Channel 4’s unique not-for-profit commissioning strength. Will the Minister please explain why the creation of another business like ITV and Channel 5 is in the interests of production companies in Cornwall, and why it is in the public interest for Channel 4 to be privatised?

Lord Vaizey of Didcot Portrait Mr Vaizey
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I feel like I am taking part in an episode of “Just a Minute” where the subject is Cornwall. We have gone from the south-west to the heart of Westminster, where Channel 4 resides, in its headquarters on Horseferry Road. As the hon. Gentleman is well aware—I know there is another question on Channel 4 later—we are considering all options to take this fantastic channel into the future.