HC Deb 22 March 1982 vol 20 cc236-7W
Mr. Geoffrey Johnson Smith

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he is yet in a position to make a statement about the future role of cable in broadcasting.

Mr. Whitelaw

In my statement to the House on 4 March about direct broadcasting by satellite (DBS), I promised a further statement on the future role of cable systems in transmitting these and other services.—[Vol. 19, c. 414–420]. In addition to the Government's decisions regarding DBS, a number of other developments indicate the need for urgent decisions about the the future role of cable—sooner than the time-scale implicit in the subscription television pilot schemes would permit. Marty of these developments are brought out in the report of the information technology advisory panel (ITAP) on cable systems which is published today.

As my right hon. Friend the Prime Minister said in reply on 19 March to a Question from my hon. Friend the Member for New Forest (Mr. McNair-Wilson)., the Government recognise the importance of the arguments in the ITAP report and wish to secure the benefits of this new technology for the United Kingdom. I have therefore decided that, in parallel with the urgent studies which the Departments concerned will be carrying out into the economic, technical and telecommunications policy issues related to the expansion of cable there should be an independent inquiry into the important broadcasting policy aspects.

Some of these were identified in the panel's reports as requiring further consideration. They include such matters as: whether cable oprators should both control cable systems and provide programme services; programme standards, and range and balance of programme content; the obligation on cable systems to relay United Kingdom broadasting services; whether advertising should be permitted; and the appropriate supervisory framework.

I am glad to be able to announce that Lord Hunt of Tanworth has agreed to serve as the chairman of the inquiry. I plan to appoint two other members with relevant experience whose names I shall announce as soon as possible.

The terms of reference of the inquiry will be as follows: To take as its frame of reference the Government' wish to secure the benefits for the United Kingdom which cable technology can offer and its willingness to consider an expansion of cable systems which would permit cable to carry a wider range of entertainment and other services (including when available services of direct broadcasting by satellite), but in a way consistent with the wider public interest, in particular the safeguarding of public service broadcasting: to consider the questions affecting broadcasting policy which would arise from such an expension including in particular the supervisory framework; and to make recommendations by 30th September 1982.