§ Mr. GummerTo ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport if she will make a statement on the arrangements under which the BBC and the ITV companies are given access to, and the right to edit, party political broadcasts. [4125]
§ Dr. HowellsThe broadcasting of party political broadcasts is ultimately the responsibility of the broadcasters and the broadcasting regulatory authorities. It is the broadcasters' responsibility to ensure that all the material they broadcast complies with their obligations to maintain programme standards, such as those relating to taste and decency. They may reject any material submitted, including party political broadcasts, unless or until it so complies.