Pressured: Howells

MPs have challenged the government over the future of Channel 5.

Culture and Media minister Kim Howells faced a barrage of questions in the Commons over the TV channel - which could be open to a buy-out from an overseas media giant if current rules governing media ownership are relaxed.

The questions came on the day Lord Puttnam, who investigated the communications bill for the government, warned that over 60 Labour peers are set to rebel over the government's moves to relax the ownership rules on Channel 5.

Senior Labour backbencher Chris Mullin warned that Rupert Murdoch's News Corporation could buy up the channel and use it to promote over aspects of its business.

"Will he at least consider putting the quality standards threshold that would be expected of Channel 5 on the face of the bill, irrespective of who the new owner happens to be?" he asked.

Howells argued that Ofcom regulator would have plenty of power and that currently Channel 5 could be bought by any media giant such as Vivendi.

"It's a very outdated idea that somehow the arrangements which are in place at the moment are going to prevent Channel 5 remaining a vibrant and good company. I am absolutely convinced it will grow whoever owns it if the regulatory environment is a good one," he said.

Conservative backbencher Michael Fabricant argued in favour of a News Corporation buyout and warned there was a greater risk that European pornography firms could also bid.

"Rupert Murdoch is far preferable to that," he said.

Labour MP John Grogan called on the minister to increase the public service obligations on Channel 5 to limit any new purchaser.

"If there are so many racheting mechanisms acting on Channel 5 no-one would want to buy it and no-one would want to grow it," warned the minister.