Broadcasting Standards Commission

HC Deb 25 October 1999 vol 336 c761W

Mr. Peter Ainsworth

To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport what plans he has to review the functions of the Broadcasting Standards Commission. [95153]

Janet Anderson

We have no plans at present to review the functions of the Broadcasting Standards Commission. As "Regulating Communications: The Way Ahead" made clear, the Government believe the current system of broadcasting regulation, of which the BSC forms part, is broadly sustainable for the time being. However, I envisage that developments in broadcasting and communications will require a fundamental reassessment of broadcasting regulation, with the possibility of major new legislation early in the next Parliament.