§ Sir John GorstTo ask the Secretary of State for National Heritage what plans he has to introduce further controls on the amount of violence broadcast on television. [18671]
§ Mr. DorrellBroadcasters in the United Kingdom are independent of Government but have clear responsibilities with regard to programme content. In May last year, my predecessor held meetings with the chairman of the BBC, the Independent Television Commission and the Broadcasting Standards Council to discuss public concern about television violence. Both the BBC and ITC undertook to monitor the amount of violence shown on television and report back. We have received interim reports from both bodies and are now awaiting the findings of joint research they have commissioned. The research will be completed later this year, and I intend to discuss its findings with the chairmen of the two bodies and consider whether any further action is called for.