§ Baroness Davidasked Her Majesty's Government:
Whether they propose to make any changes to the authority responsible for making arrangements for the classification of video works under the Video Recordings Act 1984.
§ Lord Williams of MostynMy right honourable friend the Home Secretary has today laid before both Houses details of his proposal to designate Mr. Andreas Whittam Smith under Section 4(4) of the Video Recordings Act 1984. The British Board of Film Classification (BBFC) earlier today announced that Mr. Whittam Smith will be appointed as their President from 1 January 1998, and my right honourable friend proposes to designate him, in that capacity, to replace the Earl of Harewood and Lord Birkett of Ulverston. The designation itself will come into force in accordance with the procedures laid down in Section 5 of the Act. This requires that the particulars of the proposal should lie before both Houses of Parliament for 40 days before the designation can be made, provided that neither House resolves during that period that the designation should not be made.
Copies of the proposal of designation and the text of a letter my right honourable friend intends to send at the time of designation to Mr. Whittam Smith have been placed in the Library.
Mr. Whittam Smith has impressed my right honourable friend with his understanding of the issues relating to the responsibility of a designated authority and he expects Mr. Whittam Smith to provide strong leadership for the BBFC into the next millennium.