Oral Answers to Questions

Michael Fabricant Excerpts

Thursday 10th May 2018 Commons Chamber

[Matt Hancock]

Supporting music venues is a key part of it. That includes making sure that if somebody moves in next door, the agent of change principle applies in the planning process, meaning that they cannot complain about a pre-existing music venue. This is a really important change, and one of many that we are making to support music venues.

[Michael Fabricant (Lichfield) (Con)]

Does my right hon. Friend share my dismay that Brexit does not mean that we are leaving the Eurovision song contest?

[Matt Hancock]

We should apply to the Eurovision song contest a principle that I try to apply to my life: whenever something goes wrong, we should try, try and try again, and maybe we will eventually get there.

--- Later in debate ---

[Matt Hancock]

We are studying those recommendations closely. That report by the Lords Select Committee was one of the best reports by a Lords Select Committee I have ever read, so we are taking it extremely seriously.

[Michael Fabricant (Lichfield) (Con)]

T6. I never thought I would say it, but HS2 will mean shorter journey times between the west midlands and London, so does that not make the region an obvious choice for Channel 4? When will it make the decision to change its headquarters?

[Matt Hancock]

It has made the decision to move its national headquarters, and it will make the decision about where to move them before the end of this year, with the move taking place next year. The case that my hon. Friend makes for Birmingham is a very strong one.