§ 2.45 p.m.
§ LORD BURNTWOODMy Lords, I beg leave to ask the second Question which stands in my name on the Order Paper.
§ The Question was as follows:
§ To ask Her Majesty's Government whether an increase of existing radio programmes, such as that entitled "New Ideas", can be considered in order to assist in the promotion of exports.
§ THE MINISTER OF STATE, FOREIGN AND COMMONWEALTH OFFICE (BARONESS TWEEDSMUIR OF BELHELVIE)My Lords, the B.B.C. have no plans for increasing these programmes at present. I am satisfied that, within the funds available, due emphasis is given by the B.B.C. to the importance of export promotion.
§ LORD BURNTWOODMy Lords, is the noble Baroness aware of the great tributes which have been paid by exporters in this country to the service as it is at present and that there would be a great welcome to an expansion of the service? Is it not a fact that certain markets in Europe—for instance, Holland—are not yet covered by the service? Would it not be possible to run in the Home Service, in parallel with this service, help to assist companies to inculcate a knowledge of languages where exports are involved, since this is rather an obvious defect in respect of so many exporting countries?
§ BARONESS TWEEDSMUIR OF BELHELVIEMy Lords, I am grateful to the noble Lord for saying that tributes have been paid to this programme. Perhaps he is aware that there are also six other programmes which take a rather longer time and are devoted exclusively to export promotion. His second point, about languages in the Home Service, is another question; but I will draw the attention of the B.B.C. to what he has said.