Speeches by Smith.

“Finally, to both of you—although I think Marina has already started to answer this question—what measures do you think could be taken to increase the BBC’s independence from Government?”

“Thanks. Pat, the British Broadcasting Challenge says that innovation should be for the “public interest”. The Government has talked about having a public purpose of driving growth. Are they the same thing? Can I ask each of you what you think of the potential of this public purpose of driving growth?”

“Do you think the general public know about the Government appointments, or is it more about their political view when they start viewing the BBC?”

“Do you think that is the case with your creative colleagues as well?”

“Marina, you referred to the BBC questionnaire. There were nearly 900,000 responses, and some 90% said that independence is really important. You referred to the figures. How do you explain the 48% who believe that the BBC is independent of Government and the 38% who do not?”

“Just going back to the technical side of things, or the innovation side of things, the BBC has been technically innovative in the past. It had the first regular colour TV, DAB and, recently, the iPlayer. Sir Peter, you alluded to the fact that the BBC is being left behind technically now. Do you all think that is the c…”

“Good morning. The Green Paper talked about the Government considering putting in—or retrieving, really—a public purpose to put R&D and innovation at the centre of the BBC’s activities, “potentially as part of a new Public Purpose on driving growth”. Asking all of you, should the BBC have a new public purpose relating t…”

“I am chair of the APPG for the BBC.”

“Finally, to both of you—although I think Marina has already started to answer this question—what measures do you think could be taken to increase the BBC’s independence from Government?”

“Do you think that is the case with your creative colleagues as well?”

“I am chair of the APPG for the BBC.”

“Marina, you referred to the BBC questionnaire. There were nearly 900,000 responses, and some 90% said that independence is really important. You referred to the figures. How do you explain the 48% who believe that the BBC is independent of Government and the 38% who do not?”

“Do you think the general public know about the Government appointments, or is it more about their political view when they start viewing the BBC?”

“That is really interesting. You have all identified the same sort of problem, I think. Can the BBC do something technically about the role of algorithms in driving the way that people consume the media, or is that a role for Government regulation?”

“James, we tend to focus on news and current affairs when we talk about independence from political influence. In your life as a creative, have you ever felt any caution because of concerns about political influence, either in commissioning or your personal work?”

“It is a pleasure to follow the right hon. Member for South Holland and The Deepings (Sir John Hayes), who made a characteristically interesting speech. I agree very much on the need to improve our investment in productivity and skills. I will start by making a very brief tribute to Suzannah Reeves, Joanna Midgley, John…”

“Sorry to come back on that, but should it be a new public purpose then?”

“Just so I am clear, Pat, are you saying that your proposal is a household levy that would be based on the ability to receive high-speed broadband?”

“James, we tend to focus on news and current affairs when we talk about independence from political influence. In your life as a creative, have you ever felt any caution because of concerns about political influence, either in commissioning or your personal work?”

“Good morning. The Green Paper talked about the Government considering putting in—or retrieving, really—a public purpose to put R&D and innovation at the centre of the BBC’s activities, “potentially as part of a new Public Purpose on driving growth”. Asking all of you, should the BBC have a new public purpose relating t…”