HC Deb 16 March 1989 vol 149 c292W
Mr. Fisher

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what information he has on the number of hours of broadcast programmes which(a) are subtitled and (b) have a sign language interpreter on (i) BBC1, (ii) BBC2, (iii) ITV and (iv) Channel 4 in the last year.

Mr. Renton

I understand that the BBC and IBA broadcast respectively approximately 1,650 and 1,560 hours of subtitled programmes last year for reception on teletext sets. No precise information is available on open-caption sub-titling or on signing.

Mr. Fisher

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what information he has on the number of hours of broadcast programmes on(a) BBC1, (b) BBC2, (c) ITV, (d) Channel 4, (e) BBC Radio and (f) independent local radio, which are specifically directed at people with disabilities, during the last year.

Mr. Renton

I understand that the number of hours of such programmes broadcast last year on BBC television, ITV and Channel 4, and on BBC radio were approximately 40, 35 and 53 respectively. In addition, many other programmes featured items directed both at people with disabilities and at the general audience. No precise information is available for independent local radio.