Speeches by Smith.

“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?”

“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…”

“I am chair of the APPG for the BBC.”

“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?”

“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?”

“Okay. Moving on to policing and funding, will the Government have the consultation on possible changes to how special police services are charged to events? Where are they up to on that?”

“Do you see yourselves as the voice of the sector in this negotiation? You seem reluctant to agree, but I think that is fine.”

“I can certainly see how that ambiguity would be helpful in being able to make events locally led. We heard from some parts of the sector that think it is in the “too difficult” box and a definition would be helpful. In terms of responsibilities for local authorities, the discussions around funding for the police and th…”

“Okay, that is helpful. In terms of possible extra challenges, we heard from a number of organisations that they would be concerned, and they are bodies like the LTA in this sector. What about non-profit events where there is not a lot of money being brought in to pay for police charges? Have you had any discussions on …”

“If we step outside the perimeter of some of the big events that we have into what has become known as Zone Ex, which is a concept that lots of people understand but there is not really a common definition, do the Government have a definition of Zone Ex? If not, should they?”

“Do you work closely enough with her to give us an idea of when we might expect some further progress?”

“Tariff preferences are one thing, and I know we cannot solve this problem alone, but we must do whatever we can to put pressure on the Israeli Government to stop. The Israeli Government are using the fog of war in Iran to make a Palestinian state unviable by an expansion of these settlements. What more do they have to …”

“8. What diplomatic steps her Department is taking to oppose the expansion of illegal settlements in the west bank.”

“I think the Minister has slightly brushed over Lords amendment 41 on the agent of change principle. This is an excellent Bill, but I do think it is disappointing that the Government are rejecting Lords amendment 41. If we want to properly protect our beloved music venues, pubs and cultural institutions, we need measure…”

“I have a couple of further questions on funding. Baroness Hodge proposed that commercially successful work supported by public subsidy could contribute by being recycled back into the system. I think you accepted that in principle. Some of the sector bodies, particularly in theatre, have warned that that can deter risk…”

“Baroness Hodge talked about philanthropy and increasing funding through that means. As you place greater emphasis on that, how will you prevent it from benefiting just the big-ticket, famous and well‑connected organisations?”

“You are looking at how it might work in practice. What can you tell us about how that principle might be workable in practice, and what conditions you might put on a grant?”

“I think you have this report on strategy coming out in May. Will you be far enough advanced in your thinking by then to have some detail in that?”

“Morning. Louise, you mentioned the young audiences content fund. I think both of you have called for some version of that fund to be reintroduced, and also for some kind of tax reliefs. Of the two, which intervention is likely to have the most impact?”

“You have both talked glowingly about the fund. Of the two interventions, would you say the YAC fund is more likely to stimulate production?”