§ Mr. WyattTo ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport when he expects to receive the report of the Director General of Fair Trading into the BBC's compliance with the independent production quotas for the year ending 31 March 1999; how long it has taken to report in previous years; for what reasons there was a delay this year; and if he will set a deadline for receiving such reports in future. [131568]
§ Janet AndersonThe Report of the Director General of Fair Trading into the BBC's compliance with the independent production quotas for the year ending 31 March 1999 is expected to be published in September. This is later than would normally be the case. The reporting period corresponds with the BBC's financial year (1 April to 31 March) and the Director General's report is usually published towards the end of the calendar year. The delay has been caused by the need to reach agreement on some issues of legal interpretation arising from the introduction of digital channels.