Written Question
Thursday 22nd July 2021
Asked by:
John Howell (Conservative - Henley)
Question
to the Department for Digital, Culture, Media & Sport:
To ask the Secretary of State for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport, what assessment he plans to make for the implications of his policies of the debate that took place at the Council of Europe on 21 June 2021 on the potential merits of introducing a right to know mechanism for the preservation of media freedom.
Answered by John Whittingdale
The Government is committed to protecting the freedom of the press and recognises that a vibrant and free press plays an invaluable role in our cultural and democratic life. We want to make sure that this continues, with high journalistic standards working in the public interest. The government set up the National Committee for the Safety of Journalists, and published the National Action Plan for the Safety of Journalists. The plan and the Committee’s aim is to ensure that journalists operating in the UK are as safe as possible, reducing the number of attacks on and threats issued to journalists. In addition, the government recently published an Online Media Literacy Strategy and Action Plan. Matters involving the Council of Europe are the responsibility of the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office.
Speech in Commons Chamber - Mon 08 Mar 2021
Budget Resolutions and Economic Situation
"There is much to welcome in this Budget, particularly the help that has been given to business. We have heard that this includes an extension to the furlough scheme, new grants and loans, as well as additional support to hospitality, cultural activities and leisure. There are two things that I …..."John Howell - View Speech
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Speech in Commons Chamber - Tue 15 Dec 2020
Online Harms Consultation
"In 2007, the Council of Europe produced a convention, which I understand we have signed, that deals with the online abuse of children. Will my right hon. Friend work with me and other members of the Council of Europe to strengthen that convention, in order to make sure that the …..."John Howell - View Speech
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Speech in Commons Chamber - Wed 30 Sep 2020
Professional and Amateur Sport: Government Support
"I agree totally with the Minister’s assessment of the role that sport plays in this country. He will be aware that the Henley regatta was cancelled in July. Will he assure me that he is doing all he can to ensure that that and other iconic events will take place …..."John Howell - View Speech
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Speech in Commons Chamber - Tue 07 Jul 2020
Arts, Culture and Heritage: Support Package
"What impact does the Minister think the £120 million of capital investment will have on arts bodies continuing with projects that they had paused?..."John Howell - View Speech
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Written Question
Wednesday 26th February 2020
Asked by:
John Howell (Conservative - Henley)
Question
to the Department for Digital, Culture, Media & Sport:
To ask the Secretary of State for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport, if he will direct the Charity Commission to undertake an investigation into the expenditure of over £2m of charitable funds on legal expenses by the Governing Body of Christ Church, Oxford in relation to that College's attempt to dismiss the Dean of that College.
Answered by Oliver Dowden
The Charity Commission is the independent regulator and registrar for charities in England and Wales. As an independent non-Ministerial Department, Ministers cannot direct or control the Charity Commission. It is answerable to the courts for its legal decisions.
Disputes and disagreements in charities can be particularly damaging to the public’s confidence in charities. The Charity Commission opened a regulatory compliance case into Christ Church college in January last year and has continued to engage with the charity over a number of issues connected to the dispute at the College. These have included the expenditure of charitable funds on legal expenses connected to the dispute. The Commission has also instructed the trustees to commission an independent governance review. The Commission continues to closely engage with the charity and will do so until the matter is resolved.
Speech in Westminster Hall - Tue 21 Jan 2020
Economy and Society: Contribution of Music
"It is a great pleasure to serve under your chairmanship, Ms McDonagh. It is also a great pleasure to participate in a debate with so many members of MP4 here on the Front Benches. I feel humbled in their presence and I hope they will give us a rendition later …..."John Howell - View Speech
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Speech in Westminster Hall - Mon 15 Jul 2019
BBC
"Thank you, Mr Wilson. It is a pleasure to serve under your chairmanship.
I suppose I should start by declaring an interest. For a number of years I worked as a presenter for BBC World Service television. I presented such well-known programmes as “World Business Report” and “World Business Review”, …..."John Howell - View Speech
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Speech in Westminster Hall - Mon 15 Jul 2019
BBC
"I thank my hon. Friend for that comment. The idea of keeping out commercial advertising was fine 50 years ago, and even 20 years ago, but in today’s world it needs to be looked at again in the context of how the BBC will function.
I was going to say …..."John Howell - View Speech
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Speech in Westminster Hall - Mon 15 Jul 2019
BBC
"I think this is a fault of both the Government and the BBC. I have told the director-general that—he happens to be a constituent of mine—and that is the position I will take. Just before my right hon. Friend the Member for Wantage (Mr Vaizey) comes in with a witty …..."John Howell - View Speech
View all John Howell (Con - Henley) contributions to the debate on: BBC