HC Deb 07 February 1995 vol 254 cc159-60W
Mr. Allen

To ask the Secretary of State for National Heritage (1) what assessment he has made of the adequacy of current Independent Television Commission codes in regulating the licensing of channels, with particular reference to Babylon Blue;

(2) what representations he has received from the Independent Television Commission to strengthen the regulatory powers over adult channels.

Mr. Dorrell

I am aware of public concern about the portrayal of sexual conduct in television programmes and keep this matter under careful review, in consultation with the chairman of the regulatory bodies. Babylon Blue, which has been licensed by the Independent Television Commission, has yet to begin broadcasting. If and when it does, it will be expected fully to comply with ITC's programme code and the conditions of its licence. The ITC has powers to ensure that it does. I have received no request from the ITC for any strengthening of its regulatory powers over adult channels.

Mr. Allen

To ask the Secretary of State for National Heritage what are the maximum penalties available(a) to the Independent Television Commission and (b) to his Department where (i) satellite and (ii) terrestrial television have broken the terms of their licence or ITC codes.

Mr. Dorrell

Under the terms of the Broadcasting Act 1990, the Independent Television Commission has sole responsibility for regulating the licence conditions of terrestrial and satellite commercial television services, which include a requirement to observe the ITC's codes. The commission has a range of sanctions it can impose for non-compliance with the terms of its licences. The maximum penalty that the ITC can impose on Channels 3 and 5 licensees and on satellite services is revocation of the licence. On Channel 4, the maximum penalty the commission can impose is a fine not exceeding 3 per cent. of the channel's annual qualifying revenue for the first occasion and 5 per cent. thereafter.

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