Steve Brine MP, Member of Parliament for Winchester and Chandler’s Ford, has quizzed the Secretary of State for DCMS over the future of Channel 4, during a Commons select committee session.
Nadine Dorries was grilled by MPs as they sought answers over the Governments ambition to privatise Channel 4 and Mr Brine was among them. The Government first announced their plans in January of this year during a statement to the House of Commons.
As with his contribution in that debate, the Hampshire MP again quizzed the Secretary of State over the reason for the Government’s review of Channel 4 and how the broadcaster will look afterwards.
Mr Brine sought clarity on the Bill that will soon arrive the Commons this Parliamentary session, asking; “You said this is going to happen, Channel 4 will be privatised, well obviously subject to the will of Parliament, which yes, the Government has a majority, but Parliament can still vote and will still vote on the Media Bill.”
“When is the Government going to publish what obligations, if any, will be required of any purchaser?”
The Secretary of State confirmed that her department is still working on requirements, detail by detail, and it will be set out in the Media Bill before arriving in the House of Commons.
Ms Dorries added that MPs would be consulted and met with ahead of the first reading of the Media Bill.
Pictured; Steve Brine asking the Secretary of State a question and The Secretary of State for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport appearing in front of the Commons Select Committee.
