Luciana Berger
Main Page: Luciana Berger (Liberal Democrat - Liverpool, Wavertree)Department Debates - View all Luciana Berger's debates with the Leader of the House
(13 years, 7 months ago)
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Tristram Hunt (Stoke-on-Trent Central) (Lab)
13. What discussions he has had with the BBC Trust on the future of local radio.
Luciana Berger (Liverpool, Wavertree) (Lab/Co-op)
15. What discussions he has had with the BBC Trust on the future of local radio.
Mr Jim Cunningham (Coventry South) (Lab)
16. If he will discuss with representatives of the BBC Trust future provision of daytime local radio services; and if he will make a statement.
Mr Vaizey
I hear what the hon. Gentleman says. Had that statement been made by a Conservative, it would have been seen as an unwarranted attack on the BBC. However, I am glad that there is cross-party agreement on concerns about the level of BBC salaries, even if he has ruled out further appearances on the Andrew Marr programme.
Luciana Berger
Of the 40 BBC local radio stations, BBC Radio Merseyside is the most listened to outside London. We know that the Secretary of State has shown his passion for local media in his promotion of local television. What are he and the Minister doing specifically to ensure that 24-hour BBC radio programming continues?
Mr Vaizey
This is the second time this month that the hon. Lady has praised BBC Radio Merseyside in the House. I hope that she is reaping the benefits as a result. As I have said, it is not for the Government to tell the BBC what to do. However, my understanding is that some of these reforms, which are only proposals—and I genuinely think that the BBC does listen to hon. Members’ views—are driven more by concerns about content than concerns about saving money.