HC Deb 03 November 1994 vol 248 cc1292-4W
Mr. Allen

To ask the Secretary of State for National Heritage what is his latest estimate of(a) the export value of United Kingdom broadcasters programmes and (b) the value of imports into the United Kingdom of foreign programmes.

Mr. Nelson

I have been asked to reply.

In 1993, exports and imports by United Kingdom television companies were £113 million and £228 million respectively. These figures include the making of television programmes and the buying and selling of completed programmes.

Mr. Allen

To ask the Secretary of State for National Heritage what representations he made to and what assessment he has made of the decision of the European Parliament regarding cross-media ownership; and if he will make a statement.

Mr. Dorrell

My Department is aware of the view of the European Parliament, which is likely to be reflected in the European Commission's forthcoming communication on pluralism and media concentrations.

Mr. Allen

To ask the Secretary of State for National Heritage what contact his Department has had with the European Commission Council of Ministers arising from the European Parliament's decision in January to request draft legislation from Commissioner Vanni d' Archirapi on diversification of media ownership.

Mr. Dorrell

There has been no discussion within the Culture Council on the issue of media ownership. The Industry/Telecommunications Council on 28 September 1994 noted the European Commission's response to the Bangemann group report on the Information Society, which included reference to media concentration.

Mr. Allen

To ask the Secretary of State for National Heritage what response his Department has made to the EU Commission's communication on the information Society in respect of European regulation of media concentrations.

Mr. Dorrell

The European Commission's communication on the Information Society indicated that the Commission will shortly present a communication to the Council and Parliament on the follow-up to the Green Paper on pluralism and media concentration in the internal market. I shall consider any response once the communication is available.

Mr. Allen

To ask the Secretary of State for National Heritage if he will list the research papers produced by his Department or commissioned from consultants in the last year on matters which fall under the scope of the broadcasting policy and media divisions of his Department.

Mr. Dorrell

"Setting the level of the television licence fee", a report by management consultants, Touche Ross, was published on 4 November 1993. No other research papers have been produced in the last year in the areas falling within the scope of my Department's broadcasting policy and media divisions.

Mr. Allen

To ask the Secretary of State for National Heritage when the franchises for the regional television companies are to be re-auctioned; and what amendments to the proceedings he will introduce.

Mr. Dorrell

The channel 3 licences which came into force on 1 January 1993 are valid for ten years. An application for renewal may be made by the current licence holder any time after six years from the start of the licence. The terms of any renewal will be set by the Independent Television Commission. I have no plans to amend the procedures.

Mr. Allen

To ask the Secretary of State for National Heritage when he last met representatives of the ITN network; and if he will make a statement.

Mr. Dorrell

I met Michael Green, who is the chairman of ITN, on 6 October and discussed a number of broadcasting issues.

Mr. Allen

To ask the Secretary of State for National Heritage what response his Department has made to the European Green Paper on pluralism and media 1992; and if he will make a statement.

Mr. Dorrell

My Department has discussed the Green Paper with officials from the European Commission on a number of occasions. I shall consider any response to the Commission's forthcoming communication on this matter once the communication is available.

Mr. Allen

To ask the Secretary of State for National Heritage what plans he has to change the ownership rules for ITV franchises; and if he will make a statement.

Mr. Dorrell

The ownership rules for all broadcasters, including the ITV franchises, are being considered as part of the Government's review of cross-media ownership. An announcement about the outcome will be made once the Government have determined the way ahead.

Mr. Allen

To ask the Secretary of State for National Heritage (1) what is his Department's policy towards extending the diversity of ownership of the press and broadcasting media;

(2) what is his Department's policy on the extension to broadcasting of the existing laws of libel and obscenity as apply to other media;

(3) what was the income received by Her Majesty's Government from each of the independent television companies for the latest year for which figures are available; and if he will list separately the levy, the annual bid price and other sources of revenue.

Mr. Dorrell

I will write to the hon. Member and place a copy of the letter in the Libraries of the House.