Mr. Peter Timmins:

Our attitude is that the free papers carry the same weight as the paid-for papers. It is important that we are not seen as the poor relation or left out of any support that may be given to the industry. In many ways, free may be the future because people are buying papers in such decreasing numbers. We are going to end up with more free papers. The free papers should be included in whatever supports are going to be given. The points the paid-for media make would still apply to us. We employ a lot of journalists and designers. We have a similar model except that it is free on publication. The Future of Media Commission made seven or eight recommendations in chapter 6 of its report. All of those recommendations would apply to us as well, including support for coverage of local authority meetings, support for increased digitalisation and support for court and news coverage. It gave seven or eight examples. That would certainly apply to all our publications and we would hope to be included. That is what the Government can do to help us.