Bids could come from around the world
The government expects "a lot of interest from around the world" as it plans to sell Channel 4 to a private owner, a minister said.
Cultureministerlordparkinsonofwhitleybaymade the claim as he faced scrutiny from peers about the decision to sell the publiclyowned broadcaster.
The minister was also told that announcing the plans while MPS are not sitting was an "appalling" move.
In the Lords, Labour peer Lord Dubs asked: "If the government insists on pursuing this policy, what safeguards will there be against a foreign company buying Channel 4 and there will be yet another of our major mediaownedbypeopleoutside this country?"
Lord Parkinson replied: "Like the sale of any governmentasset,thesaleofchannel 4 would need to meet a careful assessment process to ensure value for money for the taxpayer."
He added: "We expect a lot of interest from around the world in Channel 4."
The minister earlier told Liberaldemocratpeerlord Mcnally Channel 4 will be an "attractive proposition" because of its success.
Lord Mcnally also asked the minister to "publish immediately the consultation which was completed over six months ago and which has not yet seen the light of day on which the Secretary of State [Nadine Dorries] is allegedly making this decision".
He added: "Is he not ashamed that this extraordinarily well-run company is being dealt with in this way? A shabby decision made in an appalling way while the House of Commons is in recess."
Lord Parkinson replied: "The responses to the consultation will be published alongside the White Paper.”