HC Deb 17 February 2000 vol 344 cc625-6W
Mr. Baker

To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport if it is his policy to ensure parity of subtitling across BBC1 and BBC2 and the new BBC digital channels before analogue switch-off. [106972]

Janet Anderson

[holding answer 26 January 2000]: The provision of subtitling on BBC services is a matter for the BBC Governors and their policy is at least to match the targets set for any other broadcaster. I understand from the BBC that they have concentrated on subtitling their most popular analogue services and this has inevitably led to a disparity between BBC1 and BBC2. As a result, 63 per cent. of BBC1 is currently subtitled and 53 per cent. of BBC2. On digital services, 60 per cent. of output on digital BBC1 and BBC2 and 30 per cent. on BBC Choice is subtitled. The BBC has recently increased its targets for its new digital channels to 50 per cent. of subtitling within five years and 100 per cent. within ten years.