S4C Debate

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Wayne David

Main Page: Wayne David (Labour - Caerphilly)
Wednesday 20th October 2010

(14 years, 1 month ago)

Westminster Hall
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Guto Bebb Portrait Guto Bebb
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That is an interesting contribution. The viewing figures are a cause for concern in many ways. There are good reasons to defend some of them, but we have a situation in which occasionally as few as 19% of programmes manage a figure of more than 10,000 during peak time viewing. That is a real concern. As a result, there has been a serious discussion about whether S4C can justify the funding that it receives. I believe passionately that S4C can justify that funding.

Wayne David Portrait Mr Wayne David (Caerphilly) (Lab)
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The hon. Gentleman is being very generous in accepting interventions. Whatever we might think about the viewing figures or the funding formulae that have been used in the past, today’s announcement has been made without any consultation whatsoever with S4C. He surely must agree that that is reprehensible and possibly leaves the matter open for a judicial review.

Guto Bebb Portrait Guto Bebb
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The hon. Gentleman should possibly allow the Minister to explain what sort of discussions have taken place. If there have been no discussions, I am sure that will be made clear in no time at all.

Wayne David Portrait Mr David
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What is the hon. Gentleman’s view?

Guto Bebb Portrait Guto Bebb
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My view is obviously that any decision of this nature should involve a degree of consultation. We need to be aware of the fact that there is a question mark over the matter, when the viewing figures indicate that the contribution of the channel to the Welsh language is not as important as it should be. So, we are where we are and we need to think carefully about the way forward.