§ Mr. HunterTo ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport what representations she has received from ITC on ITC's new Charter for Broadcasting in the Nations and Regions. [66448]
§ Dr. HowellsThe Independent Television Commission kept the Department informed of progress as they negotiated the Charter for Broadcasting in the Nations and Regions with the ITV companies.
§ Mr. HunterTo ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport what her policy is in respect of promoting and encouraging regional television; and what further plans she has in this respect. [66447]
§ Dr. HowellsThe Government's policy is to retain and strengthen the regional dimension to public service broadcasting to ensure that it continues to meet the needs of different communities and cultural interests. The draft Communications Bill contains detailed provisions designed to achieve this.
514WUnder the Bill, Channel 3 companies will have targets for programmes produced in the regions for the regions, programmes made regionally for national audiences and investment in programme production in the regions. They will also have targets for the provision of high quality regional programmes, including news, a sufficient proportion of which will have to be shown at or around peak time. OFCOM will be required to publish a review of the regional obligations in each Channel 3 licence whenever ownership changes hands and to change licence conditions to meet any concerns arising.
Channel 4 will have targets for programme production and investment in the regions. Obligations in this area will also be applied to the BBC, through the Agreement with the Secretary of State.