§ Bob SpinkTo ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport what recent recommendations she has received from the ITC regarding the proscription of pornographic satellite television channels. [18152]
§ Mr. CabornThe commission has made no such recommendations to my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State since notification of Satisfaction TV.
§ Bob SpinkTo ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport if she will take action to proscribe the Satisfaction Channel. [18151]
§ Mr. CabornFollowing a recommendation from the ITC regarding the Satisfaction Channel, the necessary consultations under article 2a(2) of the EC broadcasting directive have taken place and my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State is now considering whether to issue a proscription order or not.
§ Bob SpinkTo ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport what action she plans to control pornographic satellite television channels; and if she will make a statement. [18150]
§ Mr. CabornBroadcasters with generally based programme remits may occasionally show adult-oriented films involving nudity and sex. Several dedicated "adult" subscription channels are licensed in the UK. Access to these is restricted through encryption, scheduling times and programme information warning viewers of the nature of their content.
Under section 177 of the Broadcasting Act 1990, my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State may make an order proscribing a foreign satellite television service that repeatedly transmits programmes containing matter that offends against good taste or decency or is likely to offend public feeling, and might seriously impair the moral, mental or physical health of minors, as allowed in article 22.1 of the "Television without Frontiers Directive", 89/552/EC, amended by 97/36/EC.