§ Mr. BerminghamTo ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department (1) whether the strip show currently being transmitted on Super channel, which originates from Italian television station Rete Mia, is subjected to approval of the Broadcasting Standards Authority; and if he will make a statement;
(2) what powers the Cable Authority has to ban transmissions of an erotic nature from being carried out on cable networks; whether it is his intention to exempt satellite television operators from such a restriction; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mr. RentonThe Cable Authority is under a statutory obligation to ensure that programmes on cable do not offend good taste and decency. If, in the authority's opinion, a programme fails to meet these standards, it may give a direction excluding it from a licensed station and as an ultimate sanction has the power to revoke a licence.
Most satellite services uplinked from abroad are received in the United Kingdom on cable and are regulated by the Cable Authority. Paragraphs 7.12–7.14 of our recent White Paper, "Broadcasting in the '90s; Competition, Choice and Quality" set out our proposals to safeguard against the possible future development of unacceptable satellite services not taken on cable.
The terms of reference of the Broadcasting Standards Council require it to monitor and report on the portrayal of violence and sex and standards of taste and decency in television and radio programmes received in the United Kingdom.
§ Mr. BerminghamTo ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what information he has on whether the Italian television station Rete Mia, currently transmitting a strip show to the United Kingdom on Super channel, has plans to extend such transmissions via a Sky television transponder and a channel on the second Astra satellite; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mr. RentonNone.