HC Deb 08 May 1996 vol 277 c170W
Mr. Harry Greenway

To ask the Secretary of State for National Heritage what plans she has to amend the Broadcasting Act 1990 to set a time limit within which the Broadcasting Complaints Commission is required to answer complaints; and if she will make a statement. [27937]

Mr. Sproat

The Government have no plans to amend the Broadcasting Act in this way. Although the commission strives to process complaints speedily, some cases, whether they concern allegations of unfairness or infringement of privacy or both, may deal with particularly complex issues and involve delays beyond the commission's control, and it is right that the commission should consider carefully all elements of such cases before making its adjudication.