§ Mrs. Fiona JonesTo ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he proposes to make any changes to the authority responsible for making arrangements for the classification of video works under the Video Recordings Act 1984; and if he will make a statement. [59967]
§ Mr. StrawI have today laid before both Houses details of my proposal to designate Lord Taylor of Warwick and Ms Janet Lewis Jones under section 4(4) of the Video Recordings Act 1984. The British Board of Film Classification (BBFC) earlier today announced their intention to appoint Lord Taylor and Janet Lewis Jones, subject to Parliamentary approval of the designation under section 4(4), as their Vice-Presidents. I propose to designate them, in that capacity, to replace Monica Sims.
I have placed in the Library a copy of my designation proposal and the text of the letters 1 intend to send at the time of designation to Lord Taylor and Janet Lewis Jones.
I believe that Lord Taylor and Janet Lewis Jones have the necessary understanding of the issues relating to the responsibility of a designated authority and I expect them, along with the President, Andreas Whittam Smith, to provide strong leadership for the BBFC.