CHILDREN'S TELEVISION

Early day motion 1375, tabled 30 April 2007 by Neil Gerrard (Labour). Signed by 81 members.

That this House recognises that children's television production provides significant public value; appreciates the importance of high quality British television programmes for children in developing their sense of identity; acknowledges that appropriate children's television can improve attention, language, comprehension and vocabulary of children; notes that parents also consider high quality programming as a factor in improving general knowledge, literacy and attention; believes that plurality of provision by more than one broadcaster is essential in ensuring quality; is concerned that the main advertiser-funded public service broadcasters are seeking to reduce the commissioning of children's programming; understands the financial constraints on these broadcasters and the BBC following a lower than expected licence fee settlement; but further notes that children's and animation programmes generate a total turnover of three times their initial investment; supports the requirements in the Communications Act 2003 for broadcasters to show an appropriate range of home-grown children's programmes; and calls upon Ofcom to ensure that this obligation is met.

Signatures by party: Labour 40, Liberal Democrat 19, Conservative 15, Plaid Cymru 2, Social Democratic and Labour Party 2, DUP 1, Independent 1, Scottish National Party 1.