§ Mr. CoakerTo ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what plans he has to make changes to the authority responsible for making arrangements for the classification of video works under the Video Recordings Act 1984. [21667]
§ Mr. StrawI have today laid before both Houses details of my 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 I propose 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.
264WI have placed in the Library a copy of my designation proposal and the text of a letter I intend to send at the time of designation to Mr. Whittam Smith.
Mr. Whittam Smith has impressed me with his understanding of the issues relating to the responsibility of a designated authority and I expect him to provide strong leadership for the BBFC into the next millennium.