§ 29. Mr. FabricantTo ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what is the current grant in aid from the Foreign Office to the BBC World Service; and what percentage increase he expects for the next funding triennium; and if he will make a statement. [14971]
§ Mr. BaldryThe grant in aid to the BBC World Service in the current financial year is £175.2 million. It will rise to £178.8 million in each of the following two years of the current triennium, that is 1995–96 and 1996–97.
Discussions on the level of funding for the next triennium from 1997–98 to 1999–2000 will begin early next year. The actual funding for that triennium will be determined during the 1996 public expenditure survey.