HL Deb 25 January 1988 vol 492 cc406-7

2.40 p.m.

Lord Bottomley

My Lords, I beg leave to ask the Question standing in my name on the Order Paper.

The Question was as follows:

To ask Her Majesty's Government whether they are prepared to allocate funds to help the BBC's external English speaking services to provide an adequate and appropriate television service for the developing Commonwealth.

The Minister of State, Foreign and Commonwealth Office (Lord Glenarthur)

My Lords, we have received a proposal from the BBC external services to establish a world television news service which could be broadcast worldwide including to Commonwealth countries. Examination of the complex issues raised in the BBC's proposal is not yet complete, but it is being given considerable attention and priority.

Lord Bottomley

My Lords, the idea of a BBC extension worldwide into television was put to Ministers in November 1986. Why has it taken so long for the Government to decide whether or not they want this development?

Lord Glenarthur

My Lords, the whole matter raises some very complex issues which need careful consideration; namely, issues of cost and of policy. That is why we are undertaking this examination.

Lord Bottomley

My Lords, can the noble Lord give any idea as to when a decision will be made?

Lord Glenarthur

My Lords, I cannot go further than I have said which is that we are giving it considerable attention and priority.

Lord Cledwyn of Penrhos

My Lords, I am sure that everybody is very glad that the matter is being given attention. But, in the light of what my noble friend has just said, it is certainly not being given priority attention. The noble Lord mentioned the question of cost. Does he not agree that the cost involved is relatively very small; that is to say, £1 million for three years? Given some of the matters on which the Government have spent a great deal of money—for example, £23 million to advertise BP shares—would not £3 million to enhance the good name of Great Britain be a good investment?

Lord Glenarthur

My Lords, I believe it is important in all these considerations to compare like with like. The fact is that a revised proposal was brought forward from the BBC in August 1987. That followed the November 1986 proposal. As I said, the projects are complex. Satellite television broadcasting is neither simple nor inexpensive. It is not simply a question of extending radio broadcasting. The satellite technology involved is still evolving. We need to make sure that any investment is a sound way to spend taxpayers' money.

Lord Molloy

My Lords, does the Minister agree that the proposition is well worth examining? Is he not aware that the BBC's world service is listened to by very many countries in and outside the Commonwealth and that it does great service? A television network of this calibre would enhance the spirit of freedom everywhere.

Lord Glenarthur

My Lords, I certainly agree with the noble Lord that the BBC's external services are widely acclaimed. The BBC estimates that it has about 120 million regular listeners abroad and that is excluding China. As I have said, this is a difficult issue and one which is being looked at at the moment, but the considerations are complex.

Lord Ferrier

My Lords, can my noble friend tell me whether this service is going to be ancillary to or instead of the ordinary sound service that one hears at one o'clock in the morning and other times?

Lord Glenarthur

My Lords, this proposal is in addition to the existing sound broadcasting.