Oral Answers to Questions Debate

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Department: Leader of the House

Oral Answers to Questions

Luciana Berger Excerpts
Thursday 28th April 2011

(13 years, 6 months ago)

Commons Chamber
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Tristram Hunt Portrait Tristram Hunt (Stoke-on-Trent Central) (Lab)
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13. What discussions he has had with the BBC Trust on the future of local radio.

Luciana Berger Portrait Luciana Berger (Liverpool, Wavertree) (Lab/Co-op)
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15. What discussions he has had with the BBC Trust on the future of local radio.

Jim Cunningham Portrait Mr Jim Cunningham (Coventry South) (Lab)
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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.

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Lord Vaizey of Didcot Portrait Mr Vaizey
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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 Portrait Luciana Berger
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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?

Lord Vaizey of Didcot Portrait Mr Vaizey
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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.