Public Bodies Bill And S4c

EDM number 2316 in 2010-12, proposed by Hywel Williams on 26/10/2011.
Categorised under the topics of Broadcasting and Telecommunications.

That this House notes with disappointment the timetabling of the Public Bodies Bill which meant that no time was available at Report Stage for debating matters relating to Sianel Pedwar Cymru(S4C) given the importance of the future of the only Welsh language channel to people in Wales; further notes the inappropriate treatment of S4C during the process of the Public Bodies Bill, prior to and since itspublication, including announcingbudget cuts in contravention of the 1990 and 1996 Communications Acts prior to legislative change; further notes that discussions with the BBC regarding future funding of S4C did not involve the management of S4C, the Welsh Government or consultation with service users and the Welsh public; further notes that the release of crucial information regarding these discussions was at an inappropriate time for members of the Public Bill Committee as the subject was already under debate in committee and the announcement that the remaining stages would be held at three days' notice at a time when the majority of Welsh hon. Members were attending a meeting of the Welsh Grand Committee away from London; and expresses support for the editorial and operational independence of S4C, funding for S4C which includes the channel's input into determining the financial capacity required for meeting its statutory duties, agreement between S4C and the BBC Trust regarding the channel's operating agreement and an independent review into widening the channel's statutory duties to include digital services and other technological media of importance to Welsh speakers.

This motion has been signed by a total of 8 MPs.