Television (Highlands and Islands)

Part of Oral Answers to Questions — Home Department – in the House of Commons at 12:00 am on 7 February 1991.

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Photo of Mr Kenneth Baker Mr Kenneth Baker , Mole Valley 12:00, 7 February 1991

The hon. Gentleman will appreciate that there is a moratorium. Perhaps during that period sensible mergers will come about. It has been said that some of the smaller companies might not be viable for long. That is not ruled out, but it must be at the discretion of the ITC. I assure the hon. Gentleman and others whose constituencies are in the areas of the smaller companies that at the bidding stage and in the case of a change of ownership in the future, good regional programmes will continue to be made and shown. Section 16 of the Broadcasting Act 1990 specifically requires that. There are also requirements that regional news shall be of a high quality and that a suitable proportion of regional programmes shall continue to be made in the region.