Media: S4C

Lord Morris of Aberavon Excerpts

Wednesday 5th October 2011 Lords Chamber

[Baroness Rawlings]

My Lords, I understand my noble friend Lord Roberts’ concern about S4C, as he was its original founder, but I should like to reassure him that the amended BBC agreement which has been laid in Parliament states that there will be new governance arrangements. This will happen only when they have been agreed by S4C, the BBC and DCMS. Naturally, there will be a balance and it will not be dominated by the BBC.

[Lord Morris of Aberavon]

Does the Minister understand that there is immense concern in Wales about the delay over so many months in reaching an arrangement between the BBC and S4C? The chairman has been appointed; I welcome the appointment very much. Ministers have stressed the need for independence of S4C. Is the BBC using its muscle, as the noble Lord, Lord Roberts, said, and putting too much pressure on S4C in the discussions? When they reach a point of agreement, will it be with the personal approval of the Secretary of State?

[Baroness Rawlings]

The noble and learned Lord is absolutely right on that point, but the Government are not delaying. The officials at DCMS are working with S4C and the BBC Trust on the governance structure of their new partnership. The new chairman has been appointed and the appointment has gone down very well. Mr Heath said in the other place that he hoped that the negotiations will be completed by Report in the other place.