Future Funding for S4C

Chris Davies Excerpts

Tuesday 5th January 2016 Commons Chamber

[Simon Hart]

That seems to be the view of the House. I hope the Minister takes on board that we have Liberal Democrat, Plaid Cymru, Labour, Conservatives and even Scottish National party Members here—a pretty wide representation—making that very important cultural point.

[Chris Davies (Brecon and Radnorshire) (Con)]

I, too, thank my hon. Friend for securing this very important Adjournment debate. S4C is the only Welsh language TV station in the world. We are very proud of that in Wales and we will struggle if the funding is cut.

[Simon Hart]

My hon. Friend makes a useful contribution, which helps me to sum up my list of modest and deliverable requests to the Government. I start simply by reminding the Minister that the manifesto commitment is critical:

“We would safeguard the funding and editorial independence of S4C.”

Everything I have discussed hinges on that commitment: a promise is a promise.