Asked by: Layla Moran (Liberal Democrat - Oxford West and Abingdon)
Question to the Department for Digital, Culture, Media & Sport:
To ask the Secretary of State for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport, what assessment she has made of the potential implications of Disney's takeover of 21st Century Fox for the Competition and Markets Authority's investigation into the anticipated acquisition of Sky Plc by 21st Century Fox; and if she will make a statement.
Answered by Karen Bradley
On 14 December, Disney and the 21st Century Fox announced details of an agreement for the sale of 21st Century Fox to Disney. This includes its interests in two major UK Media companies Sky PLC and Endemol/Shine. 21st Century Fox currently remains as the bidder for Sky PLC and Disney and 21st Century Fox confirmed in their joint announcement that they want the 21st Century Fox bid for Sky - announced in December 2016 – to continue. The current Competition and Markets Authority (CMA) inquiry into the Fox/Sky merger will therefore continue.
The CMA are of course fully aware of the Disney bid and it is for them to consider how to account for this development in their inquiry. The CMA are due to publish their interim findings on the merger in mid-January and provide their final report by 6 March. I will then consider all the relevant information and make the final decision on the merger.
Asked by: Layla Moran (Liberal Democrat - Oxford West and Abingdon)
Question to the Department for Digital, Culture, Media & Sport:
To ask the Secretary of State for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport, when she next plans to review the list of sporting events of national interest available to all television viewers.
Answered by Matt Hancock
We currently have no plans to review the list of sporting events of national interest.
Asked by: Layla Moran (Liberal Democrat - Oxford West and Abingdon)
Question to the Department for Digital, Culture, Media & Sport:
To ask the Secretary of State for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport, if she will postpone any decision on the proposed takeover of Sky by 21st Century Fox until after the publication of any report on the second stage of the Leveson Inquiry.
Answered by Matt Hancock
As set out in previous statements to the House, the Secretary of State's quasi-judicial responsibilities in relation to the proposed acquisition of Sky by 21st Century Fox will be discharged thoroughly, robustly and transparently. Such decisions must also be taken as promptly as is reasonably practicable.
On 29 June the Secretary of State announced that she is minded-to refer the merger to the Competition and Markets Authority (CMA) on media plurality grounds. In coming to a final decision, consideration will be given to the available evidence before her including any further representations received following the call for evidence which closed on 14 July.
Asked by: Layla Moran (Liberal Democrat - Oxford West and Abingdon)
Question to the Department for Digital, Culture, Media & Sport:
To ask the Secretary of State for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport, what steps she is taking to improve broadband connectivity in Oxford West and Abingdon constituency.
Answered by Matt Hancock
Broadband is a modern necessity and the Department is working hard to ensure that everyone in Britain has the connection they need to be involved in our digital society. The Government has invested £1.7 billion of public money to support vital improvements in broadband services across the UK. This funding has created more than four million new superfast connections to date. Over 93% of UK premises are now able to access superfast speeds and we are on track to reach our target of 95% by the end of the year.
The constituency of Oxford West and Abingdon falls within the area covered by Better Broadband for Oxfordshire (http://www.betterbroadbandoxfordshire.org.uk/cms/). The government has invested over £8 million in the Better Broadband for Oxfordshire project, with local funds contributing over £13 million further. Over 4,600 premises in the constituency have received superfast broadband coverage as a result of this project. Superfast coverage in the constituency sits at over 98.8% according to third party monitoring by ThinkBroadband http://labs.thinkbroadband.com/local/oxford-west-and-abingdon,E14000874.
Asked by: Layla Moran (Liberal Democrat - Oxford West and Abingdon)
Question to the Department for Digital, Culture, Media & Sport:
To ask the Secretary of State for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport, what discussions she had with the BBC before the introduction of compulsory registration for BBC iPlayer services.
Answered by Matt Hancock
Requiring users to register for BBC iPlayer services was a decision taken by the BBC. The BBC is operationally and editorially independent from government, and the government has had no formal engagement with the BBC on this issue.
Asked by: Layla Moran (Liberal Democrat - Oxford West and Abingdon)
Question to the Department for Digital, Culture, Media & Sport:
To ask the Secretary of State for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport, what discussions she has had with the Musicians Union about the ability of British musicians to work and tour in EU member states after the UK leaves the EU.
Answered by Matt Hancock
We have held a series of roundtables with the sector on the impacts and opportunities affecting the creative industries as a result of the UK’s exit from the EU, including representations from the music industry regarding touring musicians and crews. The Department remains committed to working closely with the music sector to ensure that its needs and views are understood.