Oral question asked in the House of Commons, by Adam Price (Plaid Cymru). It was answered on Monday, 1 March 2010 on behalf of the Department for Culture, Media and Sport.

Scottish Television

Question: May I raise with the Secretary of State another matter of considerable import to Scottish television—and it would be remiss of me on St. David's day not to mention that it is also of considerable interest to us in Wales—which is the prospects for the independently funded news consortiums? Is there any realistic chance that the contracts will be signed before the general election, and if they are not, will not the entire process simply be placed in abeyance until the outcome of the election is known?

Answer: I am grateful for your assent that that question is in order, Mr. Speaker. I cannot promise the hon. Gentleman that the contracts will be signed before the general election, but it is certainly our intention to announce the preferred bidders, both in Wales and Scotland and in the sole English pilot region of Tyne Tees and Border. Whether we manage to secure quality regional news in Wales, Scotland and the English regions in the future will depend on the outcome of the next general election, because the Labour party is committed to achieving that, while the Conservatives have absolutely no proposal whatever to do so.

Secondary information