New Minister For Tourism, Film And Broadcasting Appointed

Dr Kim Howells has been appointed Minister for Tourism, Film and Broadcasting as the Blair government settles in for a second term. Howells, MP for Pontypridd, has been given the role of Parliamentary Under Secretary of State for the Department of Culture, Media and Sport (DCMS), now headed up by Tessa Jowell (see Smith Replaced By Jowell Following Labour Landslide).

Howells’ responsibility for broadcasting means he will be plunged straight into pressing issues including the question of BSkyB’s dominance of the digital TV market and the related issue of the need to increase consumer take-up of digital services in order to achieve the analogue switch-off target. These were among the issues raised in the FT’s open letter to Tony Blair, published yesterday (see FT Urges PM To Push For Action On Communications Bill), on the forthcoming Communications Bill.

Commenting on his appointment, Howells stated: “By listening to those who use the services [that the digital age offers] and to the industries which are so crucial to the UK, we aim to provide lighter touch regulation, secure the best public service broadcasting and promote competition to deliver the services of the highest standards.”

The new minister’s political history has included a stint as Parliamentary Under Secretary of State for Consumers and Corporate Affairs at the Department of Trade and Industry.

DCMS: 020 7211 6200 www.culture.gov.uk

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