Burnham against devolving broadcasting

Andy Burnham has told MPs his "instinct" is that control of broadcasting should not be devolved.

The culture secretary was responding to suggestions that responsibility for S4C, the Welsh-language public service channel, be devolved to the Welsh Assembly. Rhondda Labour MP Chris Bryant told him his predecessor James Purnell had been more positive about the idea.

Burnham, answering Commons media questions, said he would meet him to discuss the issue. However, he said: "Broadcasting is a reserve matter because it affects the whole of the UK.

"It is very important that the strengths we have traditionally had in British public service broadcasting are maintained and built upon as we move forward."

He added: "My instinctive view is to preserve what is good about British broadcasting. It is right to me that it is a reserve matter and we look at it at a UK level."

Burnham also defended the level of grant given to S4C.