John Nicolson
Main Page: John Nicolson (Scottish National Party - Ochil and South Perthshire)Department Debates - View all John Nicolson's debates with the Leader of the House
(9 years ago)
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Mr Vaizey
We support the video games industry, not least with the £4 million prototype fund, which we recently launched with Abertay University, based in Dundee. I was delighted when Tech North announced last week our new visa policy to allowed highly skilled people into the country to support the highly successful Scottish and indeed UK games industry.
John Nicolson (East Dunbartonshire) (SNP)
The Secretary of State will recall that when he came before the Select Committee on Culture, Media and Sport on 9 September, he said:
“At the moment, there are no plans to sell Channel 4”.
Shortly afterwards, on 24 September, one of his officials was photographed marching into Downing Street clutching a memo that said:
“work should proceed to examine the options for extracting greater public value from the Channel 4 Corporation…focusing on privatisation”.
That is devastating news for the creative industries and current affairs. I have a simple question: when did his officials break the news to him that they were working on privatisation proposals for Channel 4 behind his back?
Mr Vaizey
May I say what a joy it was to see the hon. Gentleman at the PinkNews awards last night at the Foreign Office where I was privileged to present the public sector equality award to the Ministry of Defence? I wish to put on record my congratulations to the Ministry—[Interruption.] I am pleased to hear the hon. Gentleman say from a sedentary position that it was a mutual pleasure. I can also say with pleasure that of course he would expect us to look at every option when it comes to considering the future of Channel 4.