To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport how much funding will be made available for the pilot independently financed news consortia announced in the Digital Britain White Paper. (281466)

Funding for piloted news consortia will be determined following the consultation outlined in the Digital Britain Report and an examination of the scope of commercial revenue that could be achieved. The current cost of broadcast regional news in the nations ranges from £4 million to £7 million per nation per annum.

To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport for how long the pilot independently financed news consortia announced in the Digital Britain White Paper are expected to last. (281467)

Pilots are expected to commence in 2010 and run until the end of 2012. This timetable will be subject to review.

To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport when tenders will be invited for the pilot independently financed news consortia announced in the Digital Britain White Paper. (281469)

Our intention is to begin the pilots in 2010. The process for tender and award is currently being developed.

To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport who will take decisions on tenders for the pilot independently financed news consortia announced in the Digital Britain White Paper. (281448)

The process for tender and award is currently being developed.