Asked by: Alistair Carmichael (Liberal Democrat - Orkney and Shetland)
Question to the Department for Digital, Culture, Media & Sport:
To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport, what discussions she has had on the BBC's investment in Gaelic broadcasting as part of the BBC Charter Review; and if she will make a statement.
Answered by Matt Hancock
During our public consultation we have listened to views across a range of issues in relation to the BBC, including Gaelic language broadcasting.
Asked by: Alistair Carmichael (Liberal Democrat - Orkney and Shetland)
Question to the Department for Digital, Culture, Media & Sport:
To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport, what guidance his Department gives to TV Licensing on how it deals with people who do not own a television.
Answered by Lord Vaizey of Didcot
Within the legislative framework set out by Government, it is for the BBC Executive Board to manage licence fee collection. Under the terms of the 2006 Royal Charter the BBC Trust is required to ensure that the arrangements for the collection of the licence fee by the BBC Executive are efficient, appropriate and proportionate. In order to fulfil this function, the Trust has committed to regularly review the BBC Executive’s licence fee collection strategy, as part of the BBC’s annual report and accounts.
Last year an independent review led by David Perry QC examined the current methods of enforcement, and we are considering the review’s recommendations as part of the ongoing Charter Review.
Asked by: Alistair Carmichael (Liberal Democrat - Orkney and Shetland)
Question to the Department for Digital, Culture, Media & Sport:
To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport, what consideration the Government has given to the use of mobile repeaters to help extend mobile-coverage in rural and island areas.
Answered by Lord Vaizey of Didcot
No such consideration has been given as the provision of mobile coverage is a commercial decision for mobile network operators (MNOs). However the Government has taken steps to ensure that mobile coverage improves across the UK through its landmark agreement with the MNOs to guarantee voice and SMS text to at least 90% of UK landmass and the licence obligation on Telefonica to provide 4G indoor coverage to 98% of premises in the UK, both by the end of 2017.