Oral Answers to Questions Debate

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Department: Leader of the House

Oral Answers to Questions

Julian Smith Excerpts
Thursday 8th September 2011

(13 years, 2 months ago)

Commons Chamber
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Lord Vaizey of Didcot Portrait Mr Vaizey
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I am afraid that about 10% of the population does not get the full range of services, but the core 15 channels. As I have said, that is a commercial issue for the people who operate the transmitters in this country. That issue certainly concerns some Members of Parliament, and if my hon. Friend wishes to join the hon. Member for West Dunbartonshire (Gemma Doyle) and me for a meeting to discuss this further, I would be happy for her to do so.

Julian Smith Portrait Julian Smith (Skipton and Ripon) (Con)
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10. What recent progress his Department has made in delivering broadband to rural communities.

Mike Crockart Portrait Mike Crockart (Edinburgh West) (LD)
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16. What steps he is taking to improve broadband provision for rural communities.

Jeremy Hunt Portrait The Secretary of State for Culture, Olympics, Media and Sport (Mr Jeremy Hunt)
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In August, I announced indicative funding for all parts of the UK for our ambition to have not just universal 2 megabit coverage, but 90% coverage of superfast broadband.

Julian Smith Portrait Julian Smith
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North Yorkshire is grateful for the Secretary of State’s Department’s support, and we are getting on with our project, but may I press him further on the 4G auction? It seems that the auction is a Treasury as much as an Ofcom issue, and I would be grateful for any update on any discussions that he is having with the Treasury. I believe that we must nail that issue for north Yorkshire to get the broadband that it needs.