PARLIAMENTARY EARLY DAY MOTION
CHILDREN'S TELEVISION (29 April 2007)

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.

Sponsored by:
Mr Neil Gerrard (Labour)