§ Ms. Joan Walley (Stoke-on-Trent, North)I wish to present a petition on behalf of deaf people in Stoke-on-Trent, North and to bring to the attention of the House the great importance that we attach to ensuring that the broadcasting authorities use proper visual aids. Many people—some 400 in all—have signed the petition, including people from Kidsgrove, Newchapel, Milton and various other parts of my constituency. They pray that the
House will ensure that legislation will be passed placing an obligation on television channel operators to make their programmes more accessible to deaf people by using Teletext subtitles, sign language or other means and to reach complete coverage by a fixed date.It is important that we should have a policy of equal opportunities, and that deaf people should not be left out of the political and broadcasting life of our country.
§ To lie upon the Table.