§ Mr. Cohenasked the Secretary of State for the Home Department what are the functions of his Department's broadcasting unit; how many staff are currently employed by the unit; what is its budget for the current year; if he will state the role played by the unit (a) in relation to his action in respect of the proposed BBC programme "At the Edge of the Union" and (b) in respect of any other programmes during the last five years; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mr. Giles ShawThe broadcasting department of the Home Office is responsible for advising the Home Secretary on broadcasting policy, including constitutional and international matters, and the implications of new technological development. It also advises on matters concerning the financing of BBC and independent television and radio services, and on relevant legislation. The Department, which has a staff of 26, is also responsible for policy on data protection.
Staffing and associated running costs for 1985–86 are estimated at £237,000.
Over the past five years the Department has replied to letters from members of the public about individual programmes and it has advised Ministers in their replies to similar correspondence and on any matters in which Ministers wished their views on programmes to be made known to the broadcasting authorities. It performed these functions in relation to the programme "At the Edge of the Union".