Oral Answers to Questions Debate

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Department: Leader of the House

Oral Answers to Questions

Tristram Hunt 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.

Lord Vaizey of Didcot Portrait The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Culture, Olympics, Media and Sport (Mr Edward Vaizey)
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No discussions have been held with the BBC Trust on the future of local radio, and nor are we planning any such discussions. However, this issue was the subject of a recent lengthy debate in the House, and we urge the BBC to take account of the views raised by many hon. Members.

Tristram Hunt Portrait Tristram Hunt
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It is absolutely right that BBC operational independence remains, but the BBC Trust needs to understand that when so much money is spent on over-inflated BBC manager and presenter salaries, particularly those imposing super-injunctions, cutting excellent local radio stations, such as BBC Stoke, which are so vital to community identity, is simply not acceptable.

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.