§ Mr. GaleTo ask the Secretary of State for National Heritage if she will take steps to prescribe the TV Eurotica Satellite Service under the terms of section 177 of the Broadcasting Act 1990. [36444]
§ Mr. SproatI understand that my hon. Friend's question relates to TV Erotica. There is, however, a similarly named satellite service called Eurotica. The Independent Television Commission has not, under section 176 of the Broadcasting Act 1990, notified us that the satellite service Eurotica is unacceptable. The Secretary of State has however, been notified of the unacceptability of a similar service, TV Erotica, and the ITC has recently confirmed that that service has repeatedly been broadcasting unacceptable material. Discussions with the European Commission and Sweden, with the objective of reaching an amicable settlement, are in train, and we shall shortly be considering what further action to take.