Question to the Department for Digital, Culture, Media & Sport:

To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport, pursuant to the Answer of 16 January 2017 to Question 59468, if she will publish any representations made to her Department on public interest considerations relating to the proposed merger of 21st Century Fox and Sky.

As my Right Hon. Friend, the Secretary of State said in the written statement of 10 January [Vol 619 Col 8WS] , officials have started preliminary work to analyse the relevance of the public interest considerations as set out in the Enterprise Act 2002 to the merger. In doing so, they will look at the available evidence and will consider representations which are relevant to those specified public interests.

While those making representations are free to publish their own views, it would be inappropriate for me to publish representations received as a matter of course in order to ensure those wishing to make representations can do so freely and without risking disclosure of commercially sensitive information. In addition there are specific statutory provisions for the handling of this information and protecting its confidentiality.

We do, however, recognise the importance of transparency in this process and will consider the appropriateness of disclosure of representations made within this context.

We will not be conducting a formal public consultation but will give due regard to any relevant representations in reaching any decision on whether or not to intervene.

As said in the statement of 10 January, we will keep Parliament informed of the process as it moves ahead and will make a further statement when the parties have formally notified the Commission, ahead of making any decision about whether to intervene.