Television Subtitles (Hansard, 22 February 1999)

§ Mr. Levitt
To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport what assessment he has made of the possible future use of digital television for the broadcasting of sign language inserts and audio description services to complement the use of programme subtitles. [71378]

§ Janet Anderson
The Broadcasting Act 1996 and The Broadcasting (Sign Language) Order 1996 set minimum targets of 10 per cent. for the audio description and 5 per cent. for the signing of digital terrestrial programme services by the tenth anniversary of the start of the service. These percentages can be amended by order and the Government intend to review these on the second anniversary of the launch of digital services.

§ Mr. Levitt
To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport what assessment he has made of the level of(a) public awareness of and (b) usage of closed caption television subtitles (i) amongst people with a hearing impairment and (ii) generally. [71375]

§ Janet Anderson
The Government are aware of the results of research undertaken by the RNID into the use of subtitles and we are taking this into account in our consideration of how we might increase the provision of subtitling on cable and satellite television, on a voluntary basis.

§ Mr. Levitt
To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport what progress he has made towards establishing targets for the percentage of programmes which should carry subtitles on(a) digital, (b) cable and (c) satellite television media. [71376]

§ Janet Anderson
The Broadcasting Act 1996 sets out the minimum requirements for the subtitling of digital terrestrial programme services. There are no similar requirements on cable and satellite services and we are currently considering what might be done on a voluntary basis to increase the provision of subtitling on these services.

§ Mr. Levitt
To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport what plans he has to promote greater awareness and use of closed caption television subtitles. [71377]

§ Janet Anderson
The need for greater promotion of subtitling both within the broadcasting industry and generally is one of a number of issues raised in my officials' meetings with those representing viewers with sensory disabilities and subtitling providers. We are currently considering how we might now take this issue forward.

§ Mr. Levitt
To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport if he will estimate when digital, cable and satellite television media will provide subtitling to the same extent as conventional free to air television media; 51W and if he will ensure that such a level is reached on all digital television media before analogue television broadcasting services are withdrawn. [71548]

§ Janet Anderson
We are currently considering the Government's strategy for analogue switch off and will make an announcement in due course. We are aware of concerns over the levels of subtitling which will be available on digital services and will ensure that the needs of those who rely on these services are taken into account.