§ Miss KirkbrideTo ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport (1) what arrangements he has made for public consultation regarding his Department's review of digital television subtitling targets; [105985]
(2) what the timescale is for his Department's review of digital television subtitling targets; and when he expects the review to be completed; [105984]
(3) if his Department's review of television subtitling targets will include analogue television; [105987]
(4) if he will publish the findings of his Department's review of digital television subtitling targets when it is completed. [105986]
§ Janet AndersonThe Government's review of the statutory targets on the subtitling, signing and audio description of programmes on digital terrestrial television will begin in early summer this year. We will be consulting the Independent Television Commission, the broadcasters, those who provide subtitling, signing and audio description services and consumer groups representing viewers with sensory disabilities. Once the review is completed in November 2000, we will publish the results.
The review will not include analogue television to which different arrangements apply. The Broadcasting Act 1990 set a target of 50 per cent. of subtitling of programmes by 1998 (for Channel 3) and by the fifth anniversary of its launch (for Channel 5). Thereafter it is for the Independent Television Commission (ITC) to set targets which are reasonably practicable. The Commission has set a target of 80 per cent. of subtitling of programmes by 2004 for Channel 3 and it will review this target in 2001.