Oral question asked in the House of Lords, by Lord McNally (Liberal Democrat). It was answered on Tuesday, 28 November 2006.

Television: Sky and ITV

Question: My Lords, while thanking the Minister for his Answer, perhaps I may ask him to look at Early Day Motion 309 in the other place. It is an impressively all-party Motion which, among other things, asks "““whether the raid gives Sky the ability to materially influence ITV””," says that that should be investigated, and "““believes a prima facie case exists for the Secretary of State to subsequently intervene and instruct Ofcom to undertake a public interest inquiry””." Is that not wise advice? In fact, should we not go further? Is it not time that Ofcom carried out a full public inquiry into Sky’s many anti-competitive actions which are distorting our broadcasting market?

Answer: My Lords, there are two separate issues here regarding the OFT and Ofcom. First,the DTI remains in contact with the OFT about the transaction and will keep under review whether the Secretary of State could or should intervene on public interest grounds. Ofcom is looking at the other issue. It has announced that it is inviting comments from BSkyB and ITV on whether the transaction has resulted in a change of control in one or more of the licences held by ITV. If Ofcom were to conclude that such a change had occurred, it would review its effects on the content of programming. Those are two separate issues and both are being investigated.

Secondary information

Type: Oral question
Reference: 687 c650
Session: 2006-07
Oral question type: 1st Supplementary
Chamber / Committee: House of Lords chamber
Subjects: Competition Broadcasting programmes Sky Inquiries Public interest Office of Fair Trading Ofcom Sales Shares Unfair practices ITV Network Television companies
Link: View this Oral question on www.publications.parliament.uk