§ Mr. AltonTo ask the Secretary of State for National Heritage (1) what research she has(a) commissioned and (b) evaluated on (i) the adoption by the Canadian Radio-Television and Telecommunications Commission of a programme of action to introduce V chip technology and encode television programmes, (ii) the Shaw-Rogers V chip trials, (iii) the Edmonton trials of V chip technology by Shaw Cablesystems and Superchannel in 1994, (iv) the Rogers Cablesystem V chip trials in Toronto and Ottawa in 1995, (v) Canadian Television broadcasting companies' trails of V chip technology in Montreal in 1995 and (vi) the third round of V chip trials by Shaw Cable and Rogers Cablesystems in Canada in February 1996; [24974]
595W(2) what reports she has received on the Shaw Communications V chip cable converter box; [24983]
(3) what reports she has received on the discussions, research and trials which preceded the passing of the recent US Telecommunications Act; [24979]
(4) what contacts her Department has had with Shaw Cablesystems concerning V chip technology; [24985]
(5) if her Department holds a copy of the Canadian Radio-Television and Telecommunications Commission's policy on programme classification for V chip technology; [24981]
(6) what discussions her Department has had with the Canadian Radio-Television and Telecommunications Commission concerning the V chip; [24984]
(7) what reports she has received on the work of the US Electronic Industries Association Group since 1992 on the application of V chip technology. [24982]
§ Mr. Sproat[holding answer 16 April 1996]: My Department is paying close attention to the full range of broadcasting issues arising from the V chip, in conjunction with broadcasters, regulators, consumer groups and other interested parties. Should technological implications ensue, these would of course be a matter for my right hon. Friend the President of the Board of Trade.
As part of the review of the issues, we shall be taking full account of the experience in the USA and Canada. Last month the Secretary of State met Dr. Arthur Pober, executive director of the Entertainment Software Rating Board, and Professor Jeffrey Bernstein, an expert in studies on violence in the media from Utrecht university, who gave a detailed account of the experience in the USA. They also addressed a seminar hosted by my Department and organised by the Advertising Association, at which my noble Friend Lord Inglewood was also present and which was well attended by representatives of the broadcasting industry, consumer groups and others.
The Secretary of State is considering what specific research on V chip related matters to commission and will be interested to receive any information that the hon. Member offers to provide.
§ Mr. AltonTo ask the Secretary of State for National Heritage if officials from her Department attended the V chip display at the technology exposition of the G7 meeting in Brussels in February 1994. [24986]
§ Mr. Sproat[holding answer 16 April 1996]: No.
§ Mr. AltonTo ask the Secretary of State for National Heritage what reports she has received on the V chip amendment to the European directive, "Television Without Frontiers", 89/552/EEC. [24980]
§ Mr. Sproat[holding answer 16 April 1996]: The Secretary of State has been notified of the European Parliament's amendments, adopted on 14 February, including amendment 55. The United Kingdom, along with all member states, awaits the modified proposal from the European Commission, which may or may not include this amendment.