HL Deb 27 November 1979 vol 403 cc387-8WA
Lord BESWICK

asked Her Majesty's Government:

Whether in their opinion the British news broadcast throughout the world by the BBC in their External Services between 04.00 and 04.30 hours on 8th November reflected a fair and balanced picture of life in Britain today and whether they will cause to be laid in the Library a copy of the script of this broadcast to enable Members of the House to form their own judgment of the usefulness of such broadcasts.

The SECRETARY of STATE for FOREIGN and COMMONWEALTH AFFAIRS (Lord Carrington)

The BBC External Services have complete editorial independence. It would therefore be inappropriate for the Government to comment on the content of any of their programmes. I would consequently suggest that the noble Lord should take up any concern he has about the programme in question directly with the acting Director-General of the BBC External Services; he will no doubt be willing to provide a copy of the appropriate transcript.