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Digital Switchover (Disclosure of Information) Bill

Let me just deal with my noble friend’s point about me insulting the over-75s. I would not dare to adopt such a strategy, nor would it cross my mind; I am merely reflecting the fact that a much higher percentage of people in that group need help, just in the same way as we recognise that in the 65 to 74 year-old group who will not qualify as of right, we have identified the disabled as having a special need and they will qualify for assistance. So it is a question of where the line is drawn, and we have drawn it in relation to the broadcasting knowledge that we have about who is receiving digital at present, because we are constructing our whole position on this in the context of the broadcasting change that is due to occur. I hope that my noble friend will recognise that. What my noble friend has done is to reinforce the anxiety of the noble Viscount, Lord Astor, about the company that will operate the scheme. As we have made clear, we expect that it is likely to be one company, but the reason why we say 51 per cent is that it allows for a joint venture with the main scheme operator. It is not for us completely to pre-empt that position entirely. We are clear about the structure. The noble Lord pressed me on why the BBC was involved in this legislation in relation to the scheme. It is because there is a hierarchy of power. The BBC will take responsibility for the operation of the scheme. It will be responsible for ensuring that the contract is drawn up accurately and that the contractor meets the contract. We are not out to be overly prescriptive about how the BBC chooses such a contractor and what that contractor will look like. That is not the basis for legislation; as long as we have broad parameters for who takes responsibility in this, that detail can eventually be worked out. In legislation, what Parliament and the nation need to be assured of is that there is a proper line of responsibility that guarantees that the scheme will be carried out effectively and properly. That is why the BBC has a crucial role in that.