and so members who do wish to ask a question please press their request to speak buttons now.

The first person to ask a question will be Jack Middleton.

Thank you, President.

Yesterday, TV regulator of Com announced it had approved controversial plans to end

STV's dedicated news coverage for the north of Scotland.

These plans are deeply unpopular and mean my constituents have lost a news institution that

they have trusted for decades.

Broadcasting matters are, of course, reserved to Westminster, but the Labour media minister

Ian Murray has assured me he will not intervene

on this very issue.

So what will the First Minister do to hold OFCOM to account for their conduct throughout

this process and for their obligations to protect local news?

I also ask what steps his Government can take to help retain jobs and wider economic activity linked to broadcasting in the north-east of Scotland?

First Minister.

I agree entirely with the concerns that have been expressed by Mr Middleton on behalf of his constituents.

I expressed in Parliament before the election the deep unease I felt about the diminution of the

STV North News production capability and broadcast because of the importance of reflecting broadcast interests across the whole of Scotland.

I have written to Ofcom and to STV to urge them once again to ensure that they are meeting their obligations to audiences and to dedicated journalists and reiterate my whole-hearted opposition to the decision that OFCOM has made, which I think is ignorant of the needs and the circumstances of the North and the North East of Scotland.

I know that Mr Middleton is meeting tomorrow with the Cabinet Secretary for Culture and the Minister for Business and Fair work

to establish some further actions that can be taken and assure him the Government will do all that we can to support him in the efforts he has taken forward on behalf of his constituents and those of many other

members in the north and north-east of Scotland.

Daniel Johnson.

...