§ Mr. AllenTo ask the Secretary of State for National Heritage if he will list the research projects undertaken in his Department to ascertain the impact of quotas for European work in the television without frontiers directive, and its effect on strengthening the European audio-visual industries ability to produce and distribute television programmes.
§ Mr. DorrellMy Department has not undertaken any research projects into the effect of the European programme requirements in articles 4 and 5 of the television without frontiers directive. The hon. Gentleman may, however, be interested in a study conducted by London Economics, "The Economic Impact of Television Quotas in the European Union", published in 1994, which concluded that quotas were an ineffective means of encouraging growth in the production sector and might actually have a negative effect.
§ Mr. AllenTo ask the Secretary of State for National Heritage (1) what was the outcome of his meeting in Bordeaux regarding quotas; and if he will make a statement;
(2) when he expects to (a) receive an official text from the Commission and (b) the House to receive a document on television without frontiers from the European Union.
§ Mr. DorrellThe informal meeting of European Union Culture and Audio-visual Ministers in Bordeaux on 13 to 14 February discussed a number of issues of audio-visual policy, among which was the European Commission's review of the implementation by member states of the television without frontiers directive. There was a spirited debate on the European programme requirements of the directive's articles 4 and 5, which revealed a large measure of agreement against tightening the existing quota regime.
In the light of this discussion, the Commission has undertaken to try to bring forward proposals for a revised directive before the end of March.
476WAny proposals from the European Commission for revision of the directive will be deposited for parliamentary scrutiny in accordance with the usual procedures.