§ Mr. DoranTo ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport if she plans to reform the independent production quota to make it a floor by ensuring that(a) the quota is calculated per channel, both by qualifying hours and spend and (b) exclusions to qualifying hours are minimised. [93104]
§ Dr. Howells[holding answer 23 January 2003]: The Government responded to the ITC's UK Programme Supply Review on 15 January. In this response we indicated that we accepted all of the ITC recommendations in the area of support for independent production in the UK, and will be introducing the necessary amendments to the Communications Bill and BBC Agreement. These amendments will introduce binding codes of practice governing broadcasters dealings with independent production companies, give OFCOM the power to measure the independent productions quota by value as well as volume if necessary, apply the quota separately to BBC1 and BBC2 and strengthen OFCOM's powers to enforce and monitor the independent production requirements.