§ 24. Mr. LlwydTo ask the Secretary of State for National Heritage how many representations she has received during the past six months on the exclusive televising of sporting events by satellite television; and if she will make a statement. [21916]
§ Mr. SproatMy Department has received representations from a wide range of interests, including over 250 letters from hon. Members in the last six months. My Department also held formal discussions with organisations representing consumers, broadcasters, sports bodies and regulatory authorities. Many representations were promoted by the publication of our discussion paper "Informing the Debate".
§ 25. Mr. MullinTo ask the Secretary of State for National Heritage what plans she has to increase the percentage of British made programmes on satellite television; and if she will make a statement. [21917]
§ Mrs. Virginia BottomleySince 1991, there has been a steady improvement in the proportion of British-made programming on satellite channels uplinked from the United Kingdom. I am pressing channels which do not yet meet the majority proportion of European programme content required to be achieved over time by the EU broadcasting directive to agree further targets for increasing such content where practicable.