Part X Miscellaneous and General

Gaelic television programmes

183AF1Membership of the Gaelic Media Service

1

The Service shall consist of not more than twelve members.

2

The members of the Service are to be appointed by OFCOM

3

OFCOM must appoint one of the members to be the chairman of the Service.

4

The approval of the Secretary of State is required for the appointment of a person as a member of the Service, and for the appointment of a member as their chairman.

5

The members of the Service must include—

a

a member nominated by the BBC;

b

a member nominated by Highlands and Islands Enterprise; and

c

a member nominated by Bòrd Gàidhlig na h-Alba (the Gaelic Development Agency).

6

When appointing members of the Service, OFCOM must have regard to—

a

the desirability of having members of the Service who are proficient in written and spoken Gaelic; and

b

any guidance issued by the Secretary of State for the purposes of this section.

7

OFCOM must secure, so far as practicable, that the membership of the Service is such that the interests of each of the following are adequately represented—

a

the holders of licences to provide regional Channel 3 services for areas wholly in Scotland;

b

the holders of licences to provide regional Channel 3 services in respect of which determinations under section 184(4)(b) are for the time being in force;

c

the independent television and radio production industries in Scotland;

d

other persons and bodies concerned with the promotion and use of the Gaelic language, including those concerned with education in Gaelic and in Gaelic culture.

8

Schedule 19 to this Act shall have effect with respect to the Service.

9

In this section—

  • “Bòrd Gàidhlig na h-Alba” means the body of that name formed under section 5 of the National Heritage (Scotland) Act 1985;

  • “regional Channel 3 service” has the same meaning as in Part 1.

10

The Secretary of State may by order amend the reference in subsection (5) to Bòrd Gàidhlig na h-Alba (the Gaelic Development Agency)—

a

by substituting a reference to another body formed under section 5 of the National Heritage (Scotland) Act 1985 with functions relating to the promotion of Gaelic; or

b

for the purpose of giving effect to a change to the name of the body referred to in that subsection.

11

An order under this section shall be subject to annulment in pursuance of a resolution of either House of Parliament.