§ Mr. LevittTo ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport when he will publish his conclusions concerning his review of the statutory requirements for the provision of subtitling, signing and audio description services; and if he will make a statement. [148090]
§ Mr. Chris SmithI am pleased to announce that our conclusions have been published today. We have carefully considered the detailed responses from the Independent Television Commission, broadcasters, groups representing viewers with sensory impairments and those providing subtitling, signing and audio description services. We have concluded that
the target for the provision of subtitling on digital terrestrial television (DTT) should be raised from 50 per cent. of programmes by the tenth anniversary of the start of the service to 80 per cent. by the tenth anniversary;the targets for sign language and audio description services should remain unchanged, but will be kept under regular review; andthe requirements on DTT should be extended to digital cable and satellite services when legislation permits.A copy of the report has been placed in the House Libraries and is also available on my Department's website at www.culture.gov.uk