Written question asked by John Whittingdale (Conservative) on Wednesday, 13 November 2002, in the House of Commons. It was due for an answer on Thursday, 21 November 2002. It was answered by Kim Howells (Labour) on Thursday, 21 November 2002 on behalf of the Department for Culture, Media and Sport.

Dept for Culture Media and Sport

Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport, what steps she has taken to ensure that digital channels operated by BBC Worldwide through UKTV do not unfairly compete with existing commercial channels.

Answer: Mr. Whittingdale: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport what steps she has taken to ensure that digital channels operated by BBC Worldwide through UKTV do not unfairly compete with existing commercial channels. [80428] Dr. Howells: It is a condition of the joint ventures under which UKTV channels operate that they must abide fully by the BBC's fair trading commitment, the commercial policy guidelines and all the requirements of EU and UK competition law. They are also subject to external audit by independent fair trading auditors and to the UK and EU competition authorities.

Secondary information

Type: Written question
Reference: 394 c231W;394 c229W; 80428
Session: 2002-03
Subjects: Competition Digital broadcasting Competition law Joint ventures Television Television channels BBC Worldwide UKTV
Link: View this Written question on www.publications.parliament.uk