Oral Answers to Questions

Debate between Jeremy Hunt and Stephen Gilbert

Thursday 9th February 2012 Commons Chamber

[Mr Hunt]

Without wishing to pre-empt what Lord Justice Leveson says, I think the hon. Gentleman’s idea may have some merit. We will look into it and see whether it is something that we can pursue.

[Stephen Gilbert (St Austell and Newquay) (LD)]

Can the Secretary of State confirm that the fit and proper person test in relation to media ownership applies equally to companies as to individuals?

[Mr Hunt]

I can. We have looked into that very closely following the phone hacking and BSkyB merger issues, and it is absolutely the case that when Ofcom considers the application of the fit and proper person test, under law it must consider whether a company is a fit and proper organisation to hold a broadcast licence, because licences are held by companies.

Oral Answers to Questions

Debate between Jeremy Hunt and Stephen Gilbert

Monday 26th July 2010 Commons Chamber

[Stephen Gilbert (St Austell and Newquay) (LD)]

14. What steps he is taking to increase provision of superfast broadband in Cornwall.

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

Unlike the previous Government, this Government are committed to the roll-out of superfast broadband in rural areas as well as in cities, and not just at speeds as slow as 2 megabits, but at very fast speeds. Cornwall will be an important part of that process.

[Stephen Gilbert]

I welcome the Government’s commitment to roll out superfast broadband across the UK, but can the Secretary of State give me an assurance that we will not have a digital divide between roll-out in urban areas and roll-out in rural areas such as Cornwall?

[Mr Hunt]

We will do everything we can to avoid that digital divide. The importance of superfast broadband is not just economic; it is social. The reason for that is that every year 7 million jobs are advertised on line, and 90% require internet skills. So for remote, rural and deprived areas it is incredibly important that they are part of the revolution. That is why we are committed to tackling rural broadband provision at the same time as broadband provision in our cities.