Question to the Department for Exiting the European Union :

To ask the Secretary of State for Exiting the European Union, with reference to paragraph 16b on page 17 of the white paper, The Future Relationship between the United Kingdom and the European Union, cm. 9593, what conversations he has had with international broadcasters who hold UK bases on the security of jobs and investment after the UK has left the EU.

The Government has been working closely with the creative and broadcasting industries to understand the impacts and opportunities presented by our decision to leave the EU, as well as discussing with them an early sector deal as part of the Industrial Strategy to secure the sector’s future prosperity and growth.

We continue to be supportive of the international broadcasting industry and we will ensure that it can continue to thrive after we leave the EU.

The UK and the EU included broadcasting in the joint list of topics for discussions on the Future Framework, which reflects our shared understanding of the importance of broadcasting. We will continue to press for the best arrangements for the sector.

The definition of European Works is set out in the AVMSD, and includes works from Member States and countries that have signed and ratified the Council of Europe’s Convention on Transfrontier Television. As the definition of European works is not an EU definition, the UK will retain its valuable European works status post exit.