Nicholas Soames: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Olympics, Media and Sport what recent discussions he has had with representatives of the Press Complaints Commission on telephone hacking and blagging allegations. [40570]

Ed Vaizey MP; Minister of State: The Press Complaints Commission (PCC) recently wrote to the Department setting out what steps it is taking on this matter. The Commission has established a Review Committee of Commissioners, comprising a former chief constable, a law professor, and an editor from outside Fleet street, to review new evidence and make recommendations. It will also review the PCC's own previous work in this area.

Phone hacking is, of course, a criminal offence, and while it is right that the PCC review matters, we must also be mindful that the Crown Prosecution Service is currently conducting a comprehensive assessment of all material in the possession of the Metropolitan Police Service relating to phone hacking.