§ Mr. StephenTo ask the Secretary of State for National Heritage what action he is taking within the institutions of the European Community and the Council of Europe to prevent the transmission of violent or pornographic television programmes into British homes.
§ Mr. BrookeWe are exploring with the European Commission the scope for United Kingdom action under the EC broadcasting directive (89/552/EEC) against pornographic satellite channels based in another EC member state. No action is possible under the Council of Europe convention on transfrontier television as it is not yet in force. The convention, which the United Kingdom and seven other states have ratified, will come into force on 1 May 1993.