BIRMINGHAM SPORTS ARGUS

Early day motion 1988, tabled 19 April 2006 by Roger Godsiff (Labour). Signed by 17 members.

That this House notes with great concern that Trinity Mirror, which in 2005 made operating profits of more than £250 million, plans to end the Sports Argus title in the West Midlands as a free-standing title from the end of the 2006 football season; further notes that the Sports Argus has provided a valuable service to its readers throughout its illustrious 109-year history; expresses dismay that Great Britain's biggest newspaper publisher should take such an action without first attempting to consult the paper's various stakeholders over ways to restore its financial well-being and vitality; further notes that the end of the Argus as an independent title would be a damaging loss to the plurality of publishing in Birmingham and the West Midlands as a whole; and believes that Trinity Mirror should put a moratorium on its decision to allow a re-examination of ways to maintain the Sports Argus as a stand-alone title.

Signatures by party: Labour 17.