Local MP critical of SNP calls to devolve broadcasting to the Scottish Parliament

28 January 2008

Ochil & South Perthshire MP Gordon Banks has criticised SNP calls to devolve Broadcasting to Scotland. The SNP Government have argued for separation of broadcasting regulation in Scotland from the UK and the creation of a Scottish Broadcasting Authority.

Mr Banks said – “This is another example of the SNP picking a fight with Westminster without any real reason to do so. It makes no sense to break up the BBC and separate Scottish broadcasting from its English and Welsh counterparts.”

“No-one is pretending that there are no issues facing the industry, but these solutions are complex and not easily solved. The SNP have the mis-conception that devolving an issue automatically solves it. That is simply not the case.”

“There is a role for Scottish Executive agencies such as Scottish Enterprise in trying to encourage new producers and ideas into the industry but that is only one part of the solution. It is no longer simply a matter of making Scottish programmes for Scottish viewers, it is about reaching out to a global audience. We should be looking to compete in the big markets and we can only do that as part of a UK wide broadcasting network.