HC Deb 22 June 1988 vol 135 c562W
Mr. Harry Greenway

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what form of Government monitoring and control there will be over the contents of programmes beamed at the United Kingdom by satellite television.

Mr. Renton

British Satellite Broadcasting Limited plans to launch a three channel direct broadcasting by satellite (DBS) service for the United Kingdom in autumn 1989. This service will be regulated by the Independent Broadcasting Authority under the Cable and Broadcasting Act 1984. Existing non-DBS satellite services are virtually all transmitted for reception and distribution via cable systems; and they are therefore subject to regulation by the Cable Authority under the Cable and Broadcasting Act 1984 in the same way as other cable services. We are considering introducing legislation to extend the authority's remit to all non-DBS services transmitted direct to the home whether or not relayed by cable. Services linked from Europe may be made subject to rules currently being discussed in the Council of Europe and the European Communities. Finally, the satellite television services will be subject to monitoring by the Broadcasting Standards Council.

In all cases, regulation and monitoring is or will be undertaken by independent bodies. The Government have no wish or any plans to control any television services themselves.

Mr. Harry Greenway

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department whether satellite television now being made for schools programmes; and if he will make a statement.

Mr. Renton

I am not aware of any satellite television service in the United Kingdom which provides schools programmes.