Broadcasting (Terrorist Organisations)

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To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what steps he is taking under the Broadcasting Act 1990 to continue the restrictions on the broadcasting of direct statements by representatives of terrorists' organisations connected with Northern Ireland and their supporters.

I have today issued notices, to take effect from 1 January 1991, to the following broadcasters and broadcasting regulatory bodies.

(i) the independent Television Commission, under section 10 of the Broadcasting Act 1990, in respect of licensees which will be broadcasting from that date:

(ii) th Welsh Fourth Channel Authority, under section 63 of the 1990 Act, which will be a broadcaster from that date; and

(iii) the Radio Authority, under section 94 of the 1990 Act, in respect of licensees which will be broadcasting from that date.

I have also issued amended notices, under section 29 of the Broadcasting Act 1981 (which is continued by the 1990 Act), to:

(i) the ITC, in respect of those ITV companies who will continue as programme contractors until the expiry of their existing contracts at the end of 1992 and also in respect of Channel 4; and

(ii) the Radio Authority, in respect of those independent radio stations which do not opt to become licensees until the expiry of their existing contracts.

Copies of the notices have been placed in the Library.

Volume 183: debated on Wednesday 19 December 1990