SUNDAY POLITICAL PROGRAMME IN THE ITV REGIONS

Early day motion 878, tabled 9 March 2005 by Andy Burnham (Labour/Co-operative). Signed by 58 members.

That this House is shocked at ITV's decision to axe its Sunday regional political programme from the autumn schedule in all of the ITV regions; believes that it breaches the spirit of commitments given to honourable Members during Ofcom's recent inquiry into public service broadcasting obligations; notes that the 57 per cent. increase in profits for the newly-merged ITV, attributed in part by the company to cost cutting, also suggests that advertising revenues are in robust health; questions whether ITV has any long-term commitment to provide quality regional programming for the regions; and calls on Ofcom to investigate whether ITV is fulfilling the spirit of its public service obligations of its current licence.

Signatures by party: Labour 37, Liberal Democrat 10, Conservative 5, Labour/Co-operative 5, Plaid Cymru 1.