Parliamentary Debates (Hansard)
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Thursday Volume 626 29 June 2017 No. 9 HOUSE OF COMMONS OFFICIAL REPORT PARLIAMENTARY DEBATES (HANSARD) Thursday 29 June 2017 © Parliamentary Copyright House of Commons 2017 This publication may be reproduced under the terms of the Open Parliament licence, which is published at www.parliament.uk/site-information/copyright/. 713 29 JUNE 2017 714 Michael Fabricant (Lichfield) (Con): The Secretary of House of Commons State will be aware that there are also black and white television concessions. I learned this morning that some Thursday 29 June 2017 300 people in Wales have black and white television licences. Will she confirm whether she has any plans to change that concession? The House met at half-past Nine o’clock Karen Bradley: I have no plans to do that at this stage. PRAYERS Tom Watson (West Bromwich East) (Lab): Mr Speaker, it is very good to see you back in the Chair. I welcome [MR SPEAKER in the Chair] back those on the Front Benches, and all new and returning Members. Page 66 of the Conservative party’s manifesto says Oral Answers to Questions that “pensioner benefits, including free…TV licences” would be continued CULTURE, MEDIA AND SPORT “for the duration of this parliament.” That is until 2022. Is that still a commitment? The Secretary of State was asked— Karen Bradley: The manifesto ensured that we were Free TV Licences: Over-75s clear that we would respect the decisions that had been taken, including in the Digital Economy Act. Policy 1. Mr Jim Cunningham (Coventry South) (Lab): What responsibility for that concession will move to the BBC plans she has to ensure the continuation of free TV from 2020 and I would expect it to continue with the licences for over-75s for the duration of this Parliament. concession. [900074] Tom Watson: The Government cannot guarantee free The Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport TV licences beyond 2020, as the Secretary of State has (Karen Bradley): Before I start, may I remind the House just said, without reopening their deal with the BBC. that, as per today’s Order Paper, I plan to make a She appears to have no wish to do that. It raises the statement on the proposed merger of 21st Century Fox question of why on earth it was in the manifesto in the and Sky after business questions. Therefore, I will not first place. Was it inserted against her wishes? Was it a answer any questions on the subject during oral questions cynical promise she knew she would break? Or was it this morning, but I will be happy to do so at the just a typographical error? Dispatch Box later. The BBC has agreed to take on the full cost of the Karen Bradley: The manifesto is ensuring that the over-75s concession from April 2020. In return, the concessions are available. I would expect that the BBC Government have agreed to transfer policy responsibility would continue with the concession post 2020. for the concession to the BBC, and that was taken forward in the Digital Economy Act 2017. Mr Philip Hollobone (Kettering) (Con): Given the grossly inflated salaries the BBC pays some of its top Mr Speaker: As it happens, I must say to the Secretary managers and presenters, and the appalling fact that it of State that the specific statement is not referenced on is still a criminal offence, as opposed to a civil penalty, the Order Paper at all. There is a reference to “Ministerial not to have a TV licence, is not ensuring that over-75s Statements (if any)”, and that is the extent of the continue to get their TV licences free of charge the very information previously divulged, but we are always least the BBC can do? grateful for a bit of additional, which the right hon. Lady has just provided and we take note of the gravamen Karen Bradley: My hon. Friend makes an interesting of her point. point. He will know that, from this year, when the BBC accounts are published they will show the salary levels Mr Cunningham: Given that the BBC was not responsible of all talent being paid more than £150,000. That is a for welfare policy and that this was not part of the welcome increase in transparency. Conservative manifesto, will the Secretary of State tell us when the BBC did become responsible for social policy, particularly for welfare? Leaving the EU: Creative Industries Karen Bradley: I apologise for my inadvertent error 2. Martin Whitfield (East Lothian) (Lab): What and oversight. I meant to say that the statement is assessment she has made of the potential effect of the referenced on the annunciator, rather than on the Order UK leaving the EU on the creative industries. [900075] Paper. As part of the negotiations for the BBC charter, the The Minister for Digital (Matt Hancock): We want BBC agreed to take on the over-75s licence fee. That the best deal for Britain on leaving the European Union. was agreed as part of an 11-year charter, with which I The creative industries are some of the UK’s greatest think all parties were happy. strengths, and we want them to continue to thrive. 715 Oral Answers 29 JUNE 2017 Oral Answers 716 Martin Whitfield: Given the importance of the creative Could the Minister outline the support he plans to give industries to East Lothian—a major film location for to help creative hubs continue to develop over the films such as “The Railway Man” and “The BFG”—and exciting years ahead? the money they bring to the local economy,what discussions have been held with the Scottish Government regarding Matt Hancock: Video games are one of the most the impact of Brexit on the creative industries? What exciting areas of growth in the creative industries, doing assurances can he give that the investment in the creative an incredible thing for UK exports right across the industries will continue after Brexit? country—in the south-east and all the way up to Scotland—and we will continue to back them. Matt Hancock: I have every confidence that the creative industries, which are one of our great strengths right PaulFarrelly(Newcastle-under-Lyme)(Lab):Newspapers across the country, including in Scotland—I was in and the media are very much part of our creative Edinburgh on Monday talking to Creative Scotland industries, so, as we leave the EU, could the Minister and others—will continue to go from strength to strength, explain what the Department’s policy is on the future of and we are determined to get a Brexit deal that works section 40 and Leveson 2, both of which are very for them. relevant to the industry as it, too, prepares for Brexit? Damian Collins (Folkestone and Hythe) (Con): As Matt Hancock: As the hon. Gentleman knows, the Minister knows, global businesses invest in the Conservative Members are strong supporters of the creative industries here because of the talent pool and newspaper industry, especially local newspapers, which attractive production tax credits that exist for video do not need extra costs from certain proposals. Given games, TV and films. Will he ensure that, outside the that we are such strong supporters of the newspaper EU, the UK remains the leader in Europe for talent and industry, we have a consultation out on this issue, and I attracting investment? am sure he will look forward to the answer. Matt Hancock: Yes. Mr Speaker: I leave others to judge whether the question was altogether apposite. I judged it orderly, Several hon. Members rose— but one thing is for sure: it was certainly creative. Mr Speaker: The hon. Member for Batley and Spen Brendan O’Hara (Argyll and Bute) (SNP): In Scotland, (Tracy Brabin) has an exactly identical question, and I as the Minister knows, we have a strong, innovative and would call her if she were standing— vibrant creative sector, which is worth £4 billion to our economy and which employs 75,000 people, many of whom are EU nationals. With Brexit looming, what Tracy Brabin (Batley and Spen) (Lab/Co-op) rose— assurances can the Minister give the industry in Scotland, and indeed across the United Kingdom, that this country Mr Speaker: And she is, so I will. will still be able to attract and keep the creative talent that is so vital for the industry to work, perform and 11.[900084]TracyBrabin:Thankyousomuch,MrSpeaker. exhibit in this country free from unnecessary barriers? I have question 11, but it is a similar question. Figures from Screen Yorkshire show that Yorkshire’s Matt Hancock: As the hon. Gentleman knows, we fantastic film and TV industry has grown faster than have set out that we are seeking to do a deal to ensure that anywhere else in the UK. Much of this commendable the future of European Union nationals resident here. growth has been generated by the European regional We are also open to the brightest and the best from development fund-backed Yorkshire Content Fund, but around the world. But the single most important thing the absence of a post-Brexit plan creates insecurity and for keeping the creative industries thriving in Scotland could lead to job losses. What assurances can the is remaining part of the United Kingdom. Government give the industry that projects supported by European funding will not be not left to wither on Tennis Tournaments the vine? 3. Toby Perkins (Chesterfield) (Lab): Whether she has Matt Hancock: European funding has been part of made a comparative assessment of the number of ATP the success of the film industry.