Mr. Robert G. Hughes:

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what representations he has received about the role so far of the Broadcasting Standards Council.

There were representations from various interested parties following the council's establishment in May 1988. I have received none since it was made statutory on 1 January this year.

Mr. Hughes:

Will my right hon. Friend join me in congratulating the Broadcasting Standards Council on the work that it has done so far, in particular on the code of guidance that it issued just before it became a statutory body? Does my right hon. Friend share my view that families want an absolute assurance about the contents of television programmes before they turn on their television sets?

I thank my hon. Friend for his warm words about the Broadcasting Standards Council and the code of conduct that it published just before Christmas. Many people are concerned about the portrayal of sex and violence and matters involving taste and decency on television, particularly when programmes can be seen by impressionable young people. I believe that the council's work is very valuable.