HC Deb 22 December 1997 vol 303 cc414-5W
Mr. Steen

To ask the Secretary of State for culture, Media and Sport (1) what was the average time taken by the Broadcasting Standards Commission to investigate and respond to complaints over the first six months of(a) 1996 and (b) 1997; [20825]

(2) how many complaints the Broadcasting Standards Commission investigated in the first six months of (a) 1996 and (b) 1997; [20823]

(3) if he will list all of the programmes which have been the subject of complaints subsequently upheld by the Broadcasting Standards Commission since 1 January 1996; [20826]

(4) if he will list all the programmes about which two or more complaints have been made to the Broadcasting Standards Commission in the first six months of 1997. [20824]

Mr. Fisher

[holding answer 16 December 1997]: The Broadcasting Standards Commission became operational on 1 April, 1997 following a merger, provided for under the Broadcasting Act 1996, of the Broadcasting Complaints Commission and Broadcasting Standards Council. Prior to 1 April 1997 the Broadcasting Complaints Commission had responsibility for complaints about unfair representation and breach of privacy from those portrayed in broadcasts (which usually require a formal hearing attended by Commissioners, complainant and broadcaster), whilst the Broadcasting Standards Council had responsibility for complaints from viewers and listeners about the "taste and decency" standards of programme content. The new commission has responsibility for both these categories of complaints.

Between 1 January and 30 June 1996, 53 fairness complaints and 1,702 standards complaints were investigated, and between 1 January and 30 June 1997, 81 fairness complaints and 1,533 standards complaints were investigated. The average time taken to consider fairness complaints was 259 days in the first six months of 1996 and 184 days in the first six months of 1997. The average time taken to consider standards complaints was 74 working days in the first six months of 1996 and 68 working days in the first six months of 1997. I have today placed this information in the Libraries of the House together with the lists requested by the hon. Member of programmes against which multiple complaints were made and programmes against which complaints were upheld.