27 Jan 2011 : Column 3MC

Ministerial Corrections

Thursday 27 January 2011

Business, Innovation and Skills

News International

Mr Watson: To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Innovation and Skills pursuant to the answer of 14 October 2010, Official Report, column 367W, on News International, whether (a) he and (b) the Minister for Culture, Communications and Creative Industries discussed with (i) James Murdoch and (ii) Rebekah Brooks (A) the Metropolitan Police's investigation on telephone hacking and blagging and (B) News Corporation's bid for BSkyB; and if he will make a statement. [21844]

[Official Report, 16 November 2010, Vol. 518, c. 747W.]

Letter of correction from Mr Edward Vaizey:

An error has been identified in the written answer given to the hon. Member for West Bromwich East (Mr Watson) on 16 November 2010. The short introductory telephone conversation with Mr James Murdoch took place on 15 June, not 15 July as stated in the reply.

The full answer given was as follows:

Mr Vaizey [holding answer 4 November 2010]: The Secretary of State for Business Innovation and Skills had a short introductory telephone conversation with James Murdoch on 15 July during which the News Corporation bid for BSkyB was raised. They did not discuss the Metropolitan police's investigation on telephone hacking.

In my role as a joint BIS/DCMS Minister, I met Rebekah Brooks on 12 July. During this meeting neither News Corporation's bid for BSkyB, nor the Metropolitan police's investigation on telephone hacking were discussed.

The correct answer should have been:

Mr Vaizey [holding answer 4 November 2010]: The Secretary of State for Business Innovation and Skills had a short introductory telephone conversation with James Murdoch on 15 June during which the News Corporation bid for BSkyB was raised. They did not discuss the Metropolitan police's investigation on telephone hacking.

In my role as a joint BIS/DCMS Minister, I met Rebekah Brooks on 12 July. During this meeting neither News Corporation's bid for BSkyB, nor the Metropolitan police's investigation on telephone hacking were discussed.

Communities and Local Government

Council Tax

The following is an extract of the exchange between the Minister for Housing and Local Government, the right hon. Member for Welwyn Hatfield (Grant Shapps) and the hon. Member for Bolsover (Mr Skinner) during Communities and Local Government Question Time on 17 January 2011.


27 Jan 2011 : Column 4MC

Mr Dennis Skinner (Bolsover) (Lab): Since Bolsover district council has managed to hold its council tax steady for a few years, and since none of its executives get the kind of sums that have been referred to, will the Minister repay the compliment by allowing it to deal with the 108 prefabricated buildings that have been there since the end of the second world war? The council needs to replace them and pensioners need new accommodation, so will he get the show on the road?

[Official Report, 17 January 2011, Vol. 521, c. 531.]

Letter of correction from Mr Grant Shapps:

An error has been identified in the oral response given to the hon. Member for Bolsover (Mr Skinner) on 17 January 2011. The answer referred to an incorrect funding programme.

The full answer given was as follows:

Grant Shapps: The hon. Gentleman knows, because he has raised this issue with me before in the House, that the decent homes programme continues, and last week's settlement, on top of the spending review, makes it very clear that £2.2 billion is available for decent homes-which, I understand, subsequent to our previous exchange in the House, his council is in line for.

The correct answer should have been:

Grant Shapps: The hon. Gentleman knows, because he has raised this issue with me before in the House, that the affordable housing programme continues, and that £4.5 billion is available for new affordable housing provision-from which, I understand, subsequent to our previous exchange in the House, his council is in line for funding.

Anti-Semitism

The following is an extract from the closing speech by the Under-Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government, the hon. Member for Hazel Grove (Andrew Stunell) , in the Adjournment Debate on Anti-Semitism secured by the hon. Member for Bassetlaw (John Mann) on 20 January 2011.

Andrew Stunell: ...I know from my previous visits to the area that the security required there is a shock to all non-Jewish visitors, who expect a primary school to be a primary school, perhaps not with open access, but certainly with friendly, welcoming access rather than high fences and armed guards.

[Official Report, 20 January 2011, Vol. 521, c. 365WH.]

Letter of correction from Mr Andrew Stunell:

An error has been identified in my closing speech in the Adjournment Debate on Anti-Semitism on 20 January 2011. The revision is required to avoid the impression that there are armed guards at Jewish Faith Schools.

The correct answer should have been:

Andrew Stunell: ...I know from my previous visits to the area that the security required there is a shock to all non-Jewish visitors, who expect a primary school to be a primary school, perhaps not with open access, but certainly with friendly, welcoming access rather than high fences and armed by guards.


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