Oral Answers to Questions

Debate between Jeremy Hunt and Andrew Turner

Monday 26th July 2010 Commons Chamber

[Mr Andrew Turner (Isle of Wight) (Con)]

16. If he will have discussions with industry representatives on promoting the use of superfast broadband on the Isle of Wight.

[The Secretary of State for Culture, Olympics, Media and Sport (Mr Jeremy Hunt)]

The Isle of Wight does not have good or consistent broadband coverage and this Government are determined to sort it out.

[Mr Turner]

The economy of the Isle of Wight is markedly poorer than in the rest of the south-east because of our separation by sea. Access to superfast broadband would help. When is it likely to become comprehensively available everywhere on the island?

[Mr Hunt]

My hon. Friend is right to talk about the importance of superfast broadband and not just low-speed broadband for somewhere such as the Isle of Wight. We have said that we are committed to having the fastest superfast broadband network in Europe by the end of this Parliament, and we are doing everything possible both to stimulate private sector investment in our broadband network and to have a coherent strategy for dealing with rural and remote areas such as the Isle of Wight. We are happy to work closely with him to ensure that the Isle of Wight is part of that success story.