Speeches by Smith.

“My hon. Friend is absolutely right and puts it better than I did. We can figure out how to make a ban work once we have committed to the principle, and there are ways of doing it. As we have heard today, the Government already have processes in place to distinguish between goods coming from Israel and the OPT as a resu…”

“The hon. Gentleman makes an important point and we should not overlook the role of services—it is not just about goods. The Government will say, and have said, that it is difficult to enact in practice, but just because something is difficult does not mean we should not attempt to fulfil our obligations. Yes, there wil…”

“It is not often that I agree with both the hon. Member for Dewsbury and Batley (Iqbal Mohamed) and the Father of the House, the right hon. Member for Gainsborough (Sir Edward Leigh). The Father of the House said that the whole House should cry out against the situation in the west bank. He is right and, as I look aroun…”

“Q2. In three weeks’ time, Greater Manchester residents will have the chance to vote for Labour’s brilliant candidate, Bev Craig, to be their next mayor. I have worked with Bev for many years, so I know her strong record as a leader and what an outstanding mayor she will be. Will the Deputy Prime Minister join me in wel…”

“Were you disappointed that the Government took both household levy and general taxation funding off the table as part of the consultation?”

“On the comment you made about iPlayer, you used the example of somebody watching “Small Prophets” who could be directed to watch “Detectorists”. That could be seen as sending an individual on a narrow path. In the past, the BBC has always been about expanding horizons and educating. How do you strike that balance betwe…”

“I suppose that is more about the impact on the wider sector, which is fine, but what would be the impact on the BBC and commissioning decisions if you had to have advertising on domestic services?”

“I will put on record my role as the chair of the all-party group on the BBC. We want to explore funding issues a little more. Would the BBC support a licence fee that would have to be paid by all households that have the ability to receive and watch content, no matter what the platform or the device?”

“In your earlier contribution I think that you said collection and enforcement would be easier with a household levy. Do you think there would be additional barriers from broadening out in that way? Would it create any difficulties?”

“It is interesting that you have both talked about the practical impact, but there is a decision based on principles; you both would argue that there are principles that drive the fact that the BBC should not be funded by advertising.”

“As you know, some people would have the BBC funded by advertising or subscription. Matt, what would be the impact on the BBC of introducing advertising or subscription on domestic services?”

“In your written evidence, you said that there is a question as to whether the BBC could go further in spending outside London. Is that what you are referring to, or are there other things you would add to that?”

“Finally, and briefly, Jessica, do you think that the Government should take back responsibility for funding the World Service?”

“Martin and Magnus, is there more that Channel 4 and ITV can do to increase your spending outside London?”

“Martin, you said that the BBC could do more. What more could the BBC do to develop skills and career pathways in the sector, especially for under-represented groups?”

“As usual, I should put on the record that I am chair of the all-party group for the BBC. I am also a regular attender and a member of the ITV all-party group. The BBC has increased its investment in the regions. How do your individual organisations and the commercial sector generally benefit from the BBC’s investment i…”

“Magnus, you were talking about the BBC investment in programming. Should there be more investment in training and skills, rather than in programming?”

“Interesting. But it is part of the public good though, isn’t it?”

“Finally, and briefly, Jessica, do you think that the Government should take back responsibility for funding the World Service?”

“In your written evidence, you said that there is a question as to whether the BBC could go further in spending outside London. Is that what you are referring to, or are there other things you would add to that?”