SUNDAY POLITICAL PROGRAMME IN THE ITV REGIONS

That this House is shocked at ITV's decision to axe its Sunday regional political programme from the autumn schedule in all of the ITV regions; believes that it breaches the spirit of commitments given to honourable Members during Ofcom's recent inquiry into public service broadcasting obligations; notes that the 57 per cent. increase in profits for the newly-merged ITV, attributed in part by the company to cost cutting, also suggests that advertising revenues are in robust health; questions whether ITV has any long-term commitment to provide quality regional programming for the regions; and calls on Ofcom to investigate whether ITV is fulfilling the spirit of its public service obligations of its current licence.