REGIONAL TELEVISION

Early day motion 1503, tabled 25 June 2002 by Austin Mitchell (Labour). Signed by 10 members.

That this House, regarding regional service and roots, and regional television production as essential and basic parts of the Independent Television system of regionally based companies, is concerned that the new Charter for the Nations and the Regions agreed by the ITV companies with the Independent Television Commission provides for a substantial reduction in the regional production obligations of most of the ITV companies just as regionalism is becoming more important politically and as the BBC is strengthening its regional production and resources; deplores the fact that at such a time ITV is proposed to consider that a reduction of 2,093 hours of regional production each year over the network or 40 hours 35 minutes a week, with the loss of 378 hours of regional production per annum in Central, 299 hours in Yorkshire, 234 hours in the case of Scottish TV and 89 hours for HTV Wales; considers that this huge cut in regional coverage is wholly unacceptable; suggests that the Department of Culture, Media and Sport and the ITC should ask the companies to reconsider proposals which will seriously undermine regional employment and production by companies and independent producers, undermine the regional basis of ITV and alienate viewers who want quality programmes about their region; and calls on the ITC to impose stronger regional commitments rather than diluting those that already exist.

Signatures by party: Labour 7, Liberal Democrat 2, Plaid Cymru 1.