The debate has been stimulating and pre-empts the debate that we scheduled for next month. Some constructive—but also not so constructive—contributions were made on a range of issues. During the charter review, we found a great appetite for discussing the BBC among the range of stakeholders and the public. It...

The debate has been stimulating and pre-empts the debate that we scheduled for next month. Some constructive—but also not so constructive—contributions were made on a range of issues. During the charter review, we found a great appetite for discussing the BBC among the range of stakeholders and the public. It...

I will not give way, given the short amount of time that I have available. The hon. Member for Bath agreed that—

I will not give way, given the short amount of time that I have available. The hon. Member for Bath agreed that—

I said that I would not give way—

I said that I would not give way—

That was very poor.

That was very poor.

I want to reassure the hon. Member for Bath that the new trust will be a powerful body that will have ultimate responsibility to the licence fee payer, as defined in article 9.3 of the agreement. Hon. Members have raised the issue of the delay in the announcement of the...

I want to reassure the hon. Member for Bath that the new trust will be a powerful body that will have ultimate responsibility to the licence fee payer, as defined in article 9.3 of the agreement. Hon. Members have raised the issue of the delay in the announcement of the...

I have said to the hon. Gentleman—I hope that he can understand English—that in the four minutes that I have available, I will not give way. I want to deal with the points that all hon. Members have raised. The hon. Member for Maldon and East Chelmsford raised the issue...

I have said to the hon. Gentleman—I hope that he can understand English—that in the four minutes that I have available, I will not give way. I want to deal with the points that all hon. Members have raised. The hon. Member for Maldon and East Chelmsford raised the issue...

Thank you, Madam Deputy Speaker. The hon. Member for Maldon and East Chelmsford raised the issue of the BBC’s income increasing by £1 billion. Much of its additional income is due to its own efforts to reduce evasion and cut collection costs, which must be a good thing. Over the...

Thank you, Madam Deputy Speaker. The hon. Member for Maldon and East Chelmsford raised the issue of the BBC’s income increasing by £1 billion. Much of its additional income is due to its own efforts to reduce evasion and cut collection costs, which must be a good thing. Over the...

The future of the BBC. Seventeenth opposition day debate (part 1). Motion negatived on division (288 to 218). Amendment agreed on question.

The future of the BBC. Seventeenth opposition day debate (part 1). Motion negatived on division (288 to 218). Amendment agreed on question.