, Plenary
Plaid Cymru Debate: Bus services
Members will know I'm always happy—
, Plenary
Plaid Cymru Debate: Bus services
If you will, you will—
, Plenary
Plaid Cymru Debate: Bus services
Well, one always wonders how you follow a transmission like that. And it tells you about the Conservatives, doesn't it? You read out your pre-prepared speech, and you don't allow a single intervention. You don't allow any accountability. [Interruption.] I…
, Culture, Communications, Welsh Language, Sport, and International Relations Committee
Public service broadcasting in Wales: evidence session with Ofcom (2)
I accept that.
, Culture, Communications, Welsh Language, Sport, and International Relations Committee
Public service broadcasting in Wales: evidence session with Ofcom (2)
But this, you see, goes back to my original questions on values: you used the term 'buck the market'—that's what Margaret Thatcher said. I disagree with that because we provide the 103 slot on the EPG, we're going to protect that further through the media…
, Culture, Communications, Welsh Language, Sport, and International Relations Committee
Public service broadcasting in Wales: evidence session with Ofcom (2)
I'm grateful to you for that. I think the points that Lord Grade has made are very well made, and I think that everybody celebrates the success of the creative industries in Wales, and there is no issue there at all. There's been intervention by Government to…
, Culture, Communications, Welsh Language, Sport, and International Relations Committee
Public service broadcasting in Wales: evidence session with Ofcom (2)
No, I'm fine.
, Culture, Communications, Welsh Language, Sport, and International Relations Committee
Public service broadcasting in Wales: evidence session with Ofcom (2)
No.
, Culture, Communications, Welsh Language, Sport, and International Relations Committee
Public service broadcasting in Wales: evidence session with Ofcom (2)
I'd like to come back on that—[Inaudible.]
, Culture, Communications, Welsh Language, Sport, and International Relations Committee
Public service broadcasting in Wales: evidence session with Ofcom (2)
No, that's fine.
, Culture, Communications, Welsh Language, Sport, and International Relations Committee
Public service broadcasting in Wales: evidence session with Ofcom (2)
Okay, thank you for that. I'll just finish on this question; I know other people want to ask questions. That case that you describe, Lord Grade, can be a single incident—as we discussed, Laurence Fox—or it can be a pattern of behaviour, of course, which…
, Culture, Communications, Welsh Language, Sport, and International Relations Committee
Public service broadcasting in Wales: evidence session with Ofcom (2)
Lord Grade gave evidence to a committee I chaired, I think it's over a decade ago now, when he was at the BBC. I thought the evidence was first class, and I very much enjoyed the session that we had. I read through it, actually, in preparing for this session…
, Culture, Communications, Welsh Language, Sport, and International Relations Committee
Public service broadcasting in Wales: evidence session with Ofcom (2)
I think opinions do count—
, Culture, Communications, Welsh Language, Sport, and International Relations Committee
Public service broadcasting in Wales: evidence session with Ofcom (2)
I'm not sure I accept that final point, but, look, let me say this: you've appeared in front of a committee—
, Culture, Communications, Welsh Language, Sport, and International Relations Committee
Public service broadcasting in Wales: evidence session with Ofcom (2)
You were. I accept that.
, Culture, Communications, Welsh Language, Sport, and International Relations Committee
Public service broadcasting in Wales: evidence session with Ofcom (2)
Yes, but I'm saying there's the comment about the woke brigade and the Laurence Fox issue. It builds up a picture, and I want you to reassure me, I want you to reassure us in Wales, that we can rely on Ofcom, because, as you've said yourself, Ofcom is an…
, Culture, Communications, Welsh Language, Sport, and International Relations Committee
Public service broadcasting in Wales: evidence session with Ofcom (2)
I accept that. I accept that, and you defended your position by explaining that you'd cancelled The Black and White Minstrel Show and a number of other things. I understand the context, but I'm trying to delve a little deeper, Lord Grade, and its values that…
, Culture, Communications, Welsh Language, Sport, and International Relations Committee
Public service broadcasting in Wales: evidence session with Ofcom (2)
I recognise that. I recognise that, although you didn't say that you enjoyed the programme. You said, 'At last a voice for us', which is slightly different. I think that's different to just enjoying a bit of television. The problem with having a long career…
, Culture, Communications, Welsh Language, Sport, and International Relations Committee
Public service broadcasting in Wales: evidence session with Ofcom (2)
I've no—
, Culture, Communications, Welsh Language, Sport, and International Relations Committee
Public service broadcasting in Wales: evidence session with Ofcom (2)
My question to Lord Grade was about him being a fan of Laurence Fox. He defended his position—Lord Grade, I'm paraphrasing you before the break, and correct me if I'm wrong, but what you said was that it was an important role of Ofcom to defend free speech…
, Culture, Communications, Welsh Language, Sport, and International Relations Committee
Public service broadcasting in Wales: evidence session with Ofcom (2)
No, I was actually repeating what you just said in the last few minutes.
, Culture, Communications, Welsh Language, Sport, and International Relations Committee
Public service broadcasting in Wales: evidence session with Ofcom (2)
No, I want Lord Grade to answer the question.
, Culture, Communications, Welsh Language, Sport, and International Relations Committee
Public service broadcasting in Wales: evidence session with Ofcom (2)
It's very difficult to conduct scrutiny like this. So, Ofcom and you believe that freedom of speech should enable somebody like Laurence Fox to abuse young female journalists. You think that that's a fair use of freedom of speech. This goes to the heart of…
, Culture, Communications, Welsh Language, Sport, and International Relations Committee
Public service broadcasting in Wales: evidence session with Ofcom (2)
The reason I asked you the question is because values are important. You told the House of Commons culture committee in the spring that you cheer when you hear Laurence Fox on Question Time, and you thought that Laurence Fox was, at last, I quote, 'a voice…
, Culture, Communications, Welsh Language, Sport, and International Relations Committee
Public service broadcasting in Wales: evidence session with Ofcom (2)
I think he was finishing the answer. Lord Grade, the reason I asked you the question is because I believe—. Can he hear me? He seems to have frozen.
