§ Mr. Dubsasked the Lord Privy Seal how many entry clearance officers were employed at each overseas post in India, Pakistan and Bangladesh on 1 January each year from 1973 to 1980; and what changes there have been in arrangements for their temporary reinforcement during periods of particular pressure of work.
§ Mr. Hurdbroadcasting in the Seychelles, with particular reference to the effect on British influence in Eastern, Central and Southern Africa.
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§ Mr. BlakerA BBC relay station does not yet exist in the Seychelles. Plans to improve audibility include a BBC proposal to establish a relay station there but the funding and phasing of the project are still under consideration.
The external services of the BBC broadcast at present to Eastern, Central and Southern Africa from relay stations in the United Kingdom, Cyprus and Ascension Island.
The BBC's programmes help to extend knowledge of Britain in these areas of Africa.
§ Mr. Biggs-Davisonasked the Lord Privy Seal whether, in view of economies in overseas broadcasts, he will publish the priorities given to countries and regions.
§ Mr. BlakerThe priorities accorded to overseas broadcasts are not immutable: they are kept constantly under review. Since the beginning of this year the BBC external services, at the request of the Foreign and Commonwealth Office, have in fact increased their overseas broadcasts. Russian language transmissions have been extended from 34¾ hours to 37½ hours per week, and a new 30-minute daily service in Farsi for Afghanistan has been introduced. A list of the vernacular services, including hours broadcast to individual countries and regions, is contained in the BBC handbook, a copy of which is in the Library.