§ Mr. BerminghamTo ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what steps he is taking to ensure that the widening of the Broadcasting Standards Council remit to cover a code on anti-social behaviour does not result in overlap with that of other regulatory bodies; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mr. RentonWhen the Broadcasting Standards Council was set up, part of its remit was to draw up, in consultation with the broadcasting authorities and the other responsible bodies in broadcasting, cable and video, a code on the portrayal of sex and violence and standards on taste and decency. We see such a code as contributing to the work of the broadcasting authorities in this area, not overlapping or undermining their responsibilities for programme standards.