§ Malcolm BruceTo ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport if she will make a statement on the Government's policy on promoting television programmes for the deaf; and how much money the Government gave to support television programmes for(a) deaf people and (b) people with a disability in each year since 1997. [100623]
§ Dr.Howells[holding answer 4 March 2003]The Government have not provided funding to support television programmes for disabled people. The Government's role is to set the legislative framework within which subtitling and other services for people with disabilities can be provided.
The Broadcasting Act 1996 requires the ITC to draw up a code promoting the understanding and enjoyment of programmes by viewers who are deaf or hard of hearing and blind or partially sighted. The Act also set targets for subtitling, signing and audio description services on digital terrestrial television (DTT).
The Communications Bill will transfer the ITC's responsibilities to the new regulator, Ofcom, and will extend the requirements on DTT services to digital cable and digital satellite services.