§ Mr. Andrew MacKayasked the Secretary of State for the Home Department what plans he has for strengthening the oversight of the portrayal of violence and sex in broadcasting; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mr. HurdWe propose to establish a new Broadcasting Standards Council, divorced from programme making, which will act as a focus for public concern about the portrayal of violence and sex on all forms of television and radio receivable in the United Kingdom. Responsibility for enforcing programme standards and for responding to complaints will remain with the broadcasting authorities, but the new council will be able to monitor the relevant programme standards and publicise its findings, where necessary, on individual programmes. It will also be able to initiate studies and research on the relevant programme standards. The new council will not be concerned with complaints about unjust treatment and the invasion of privacy, which are the responsibility of the Broadcasting Complaints Commission. The new council will be able to896W express general views about the portrayal of sex and violence in video works, but will not duplicate the functions of the British Board of Film Classification.
We intend to put the Broadcasting Standards Council on a statutory footing at the earliest opportunity, but to establish it initially in advance of legislation.
The broadcasting authorities and other interested bodies are being consulted. Further details will be announced in the light of those consultations.