Speeches by Smith.

“This is a similar question to what I asked before. If you had a UK event strategy, what value could add to those individual cities? Because it seems that you are doing all the strategic support and co-ordination that they need. What would be the benefit of the UK strategy?”

“You mentioned the Commonwealth Games. In that process, did the Commonwealth Games organisers come to you or did they go to Glasgow?”

“You mentioned the rally event. So that we understand how you fit into that, what was the process for bidding for and then organising that event?”

“Ken, you have a very clear remit. Annie, you said that you are sometimes in the room at these events as an organiser. Can you give us an idea of the scope of the events that come under SAGs, aside from football and sports matches?”

“We have to talk a little bit about consistency in how they operate now, which you have both mentioned. First, with the culture, Ken, you said that this is an open forum where people are encouraged to come along and contribute. Is that culture consistent across the country? Is that the general practice where everybody i…”

“You are nodding, Annie. Local government cost pressures must have an impact. How are they impacting the consistency of approach and the effectiveness of SAGs? Is it about frequency of meeting or other things? You are shaking your head, Annie. What are the other impacts on those cost pressures? Anne Marie Chebib: A lot …”

“The people and the amount of time and commitment that they are able to give to it is one issue. What other issues are there with inconsistency across the country?”

“Annie, anything to add on the problems that that inconsistency causes?”

“Yes. Are you saying that the flexibility in the way they operate can be a benefit?”

“Are you saying that is not appropriate though?”

“It that not just dumbing down the production values?”

“Doesn’t YouTube have a responsibility? It is not just the Government’s responsibility or anybody else’s. You mentioned Oli from Blue Zoo. Blue Zoo make “Numberblocks” and say that they could not do it if they were relying on their revenue from YouTube. Given that commissioning from public service and other production c…”

“It is not just the BBC, though. We have had evidence from all kinds of people—for instance, people who make high-quality children’s TV who say it is not viable to make that content based on the income from YouTube.”

“Looking at the other public service broadcasters—and I know the BBC is not monetising its content—the Government have called for the relationship between YouTube and the public service broadcasters to be on, in their phrase, fair commercial terms. Do you accept that there is some unfairness in the commercial terms?”

“You must have had those conversations with them, though, haven’t you, about when it will all be ready?”

“Yes. So at what point do you expect that to be uploaded and ready and watched enough so you can make a judgment as to whether it is getting the discoverability and prominence that you would like it to get?”

“We presumably want high-quality, great content to be discovered and prominent, so I will go back to the question about prominence. You said that there is currently not enough supply from the BBC to—”

“I think I have probably had hospitality from YouTube as well. I am also the chair of the all-party parliamentary group on the BBC, and I mention that because I want to talk a bit more about the BBC. What is YouTube’s motivation for going into the strategic partnership that you have entered with the BBC?”

“Can I just ask what you mean when you say that you apply the principles to the platform? What does that mean?”

“T4. The Government deal with a huge number of arm’s length public bodies of variable value and success. What progress are Ministers making on tackling the number and effectiveness of arm’s length public bodies?”