§ Mrs. DunwoodyTo ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department (1) if he will make provision in the broadcasting legislation for a franchise section to provide for children's programmes;
(2) if he will make provision in the broadcasting legislation for the protection of hours during which children's programmes traditionally are shown;
(3) if he will make provision in the broadcasting legislation for children's television programmes to continue being provided as a public service, and not subject to subscription;
(4) if he will make provision in the broadcasting legislation for the setting up of an independent panel to ensure quality children's programmes;
(5) if he will make provision in the broadcasting legislation for the distribution of money through a public service broadcasting council, to the BBC and earmarked for children's programmes;
(6) if he will make provision in the broadcasting legislation to permit the Independent Television Commission to arrange a minimum level of funding for children's programmes on channels 3 and 5.
§ Mr. MellorThere is no express requirement in current broadcasting legislation to show children's programmes. Under our proposals for new legislation Channel 3 and Channel 5 will be required, among other things, to cater 183W for a wide range of tastes and interests, and Channel 4 will be required to include programmes appealing to tastes and interests not generally catered for by Channel 3. As new television channels proliferate it becomes generally less desirable for legislation to impose detailed requirements for particular programme types to be included in schedules at particular times or made subject to special funding or licensing mechanisms. But our proposals will suffice to ensure that children's programmes continue to be shown on both the BBC and on independent terrestrial television; and that the possible outlets for children's programmes will increase.