To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport what assessment he has made of the effects of the decision taken by ITV Wales to discontinue the provision of British Sign Language interpretation of their flagship news programme on the company’s ability to meet its public service obligations. (261757)

The Communications Act 2003 sets minimum targets for signing of programmes by broadcasters. However, it is the responsibility of Ofcom to ensure that these requirements are met. The Government understand that the signing of parts of some regional news programmes provided by ITV has always been in addition to the minimum targets set out in the Communications Act 2003.

Government welcome the fact that last year all ITV channels exceeded their minimum access services targets set out by Ofcom and that ITV intend to continue to subtitle all of their news programmes and bulletins.