Written question asked by Ivor Caplin (Labour) on Tuesday, 19 May 1998, in the House of Commons. It was due for an answer on Tuesday, 2 June 1998. It was answered by Mark Fisher (Labour) on Tuesday, 2 June 1998 on behalf of the Department for Culture, Media and Sport.

Dept for Culture Media and Sport

Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport, if he will ensure that future cable television licensing agreements require the provision of high quality local programming by franchise operators and that that provision be monitored by the ITC. - Inc ref to Broadcasting Act 1990, Cable and Broadcasting Act 1984.

Answer: Mr. Caplin: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport if he will ensure that future cable television licensing agreements require the provision of high quality local programming by franchise operators and that that provision be monitored by the ITC. [43109] Mr. Fisher: The award and regulation of cable television licences is, by statute, a matter for the Independent Television Commission (ITC). The terms of the Broadcasting Act 1990 require that licences awarded by the ITC under that Act contain no positive requirements for specific programming categories or quality. The ITC will however continue to monitor conditions relating to local programming in cable licences issued by the Cable Authority under the Cable and Broadcasting Act 1984, for which the Commission is now responsible.

Secondary information