§ Mr. Neil Hamiltonasked the Secretary of State for the Home Department what is the Government's policy towards the encouragement of the development of an independent sector in broadcasting by the stipulation of a substantial proportion of independently-produced programmes on BBC and ITV; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mr. RentonOur policy is to ensure that at least 25 per cent. of programmes broadcast on both ITV and BBC television are supplied by independent producers as soon as possible. We have asked the IBA and BBC to come forward with firm plans for the achievement of this target.