ITV SPORT CHANNEL

Early day motion 696, tabled 21 January 2002 by Bob Russell (Liberal Democrat). Signed by 14 members.

That this House welcomes the wider consumer choice provided by ITV Digital; in particular recognises that the ITV Sport channel enables viewers to watch football matches involving teams from the Nationwide League and that the deal concluded by the Football League provides vital financial support for many smaller clubs; is concerned, however, that this channel has not been offered to subscribers of BSkyB; believes that this constitutes an anti-competitive act by BSkyB; and therefore calls on the Government to intervene in order to help secure the future of the ITV Sport channel by requiring BSkyB to make it available to subscribers with immediate effect in order that there can be the widest possible distribution of televised Nationwide League and Worthington Cup matches to the public.

Signatures by party: Labour 9, Liberal Democrat 4, Labour/Co-operative 1.