Letter: Britain's digital TV victory

Sir: Polly Toynbee asks "Who really won the battle?" for the future of digital broadcasting (25 June). The answer is that Britain won.

Of course she is right to show concern at the possible increased powers of BSkyB, but that is best answered by protecting the BBC and is, in this argument, a side-show. The awarding of the franchise to British Digital Broadcasting will bring about investment by British companies and will create British jobs. Most estimates say that pounds 300m will be invested creating up to 125,000 jobs.

Broadcasting is one of our major industrial sectors and is one area at least where we "lead the world". Indeed a major concern is that our universities and colleges will not be able to provide sufficient qualified people and a potential skill shortage now needs to be addressed.

It is worth noting in all the hullabaloo that if this had been an American franchise, the British bid would have been disallowed. As it is, the Americans had a fair crack of the whip, and lost.

PHIL WOOLAS MP

Oldham East and Saddleworth (Lab)

House of Commons

London SW1