§ Sir Teddy TaylorTo ask the Secretary of State for National Heritage if he will make a statement on the current rules which permit political parties to have an entitlement to broadcasting time on television on the basis of the numbers of candidates fielded; what plans he has to review the procedures; and what parliamentary procedures would be needed to implement these proposals. [17094]
§ Mr. Sproat[holding answer 26 February 1996]: Decisions about the provision of airtime for party election broadcasts are matters for the BBC, the Independent Television Commission and the Radio Authority. By convention, proposals are put to the major political parties represented at Westminster with a view to reaching consensus.