HC Deb 27 February 1990 vol 168 cc149-50W
Mr. Page

To ask the Lord President of the Council if he will arrange an exhibition illustrating the various techniques available for assisting the deaf and hard of hearing to follow televised parliamentary proceedings.

Sir Geoffrey Howe

In its report setting out the framework for the televising experiment, the Select Committee on Televising of Proceedings of the House expressed in paragraph 59 the hope that the television companies wouldmake every effort to meet the needs of the deaf, so far as is consistent with their ability to produce reasonably clear television pictures". This is a subject of great concern to many Members, as evidenced by the number of petitions and early-day motions on the subject.

As part of its monitoring of the progress of the experiment, the Committee has decided to examine the various options available for assisting the deaf community in following televised parliamentary proceedings. Accordingly, with the co-operation of the broadcasters and organisations representing the deaf, the Committee has arranged an exhibition in the Jubilee Room on Monday 5 March. This will consist of a series of short films illustrating the differing techniques for the subtitling of pre-recorded material, semi-live broadcasts (ie news programmes containing some cued and pre-recorded material), and live parliamentary debates, respectively. The effect of incorporating a sign language inset into television pictures of parliamentary proceedings will also be illustrated. In addition, some of the equipment used for

Mr. Meacher

To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security how many persons he estimates are entitled to poll tax benefit rebate; what is the breakdown of these by claimant group; and how many of those entitled in each group have been awarded a rebate so far of(a) up to 19 per cent., of their poll tax, (b) 20 to 39 per cent., (c) 40 to 59 per cent., (d) 60 to 79 per cent. and (e) 80 per cent.

Mrs. Gillian Shephard

[holding answer 8 February 1990]: Estimates of numbers entitled to community charge benefit can be obtained only when data from the relevant family expenditure survey is published. Estimates of the average number of community charge benefit recipients for 1990–91 are set out in the table:

applying these techniques will be on display and representatives of the broadcasters and of organisations representing the deaf will be available to answer questions.

There will be special viewings of the exhibition for Members of the House at 3.30 and 4.30 pm. In addition there will be facilities for the press and broadcasting media to see the exhibition at 2.30 pm and the Select Committee will have a separate private showing at 6 pm.