§ Mr. John Hallasked the Postmaster-General by how much the British Broadcasting Corporation external services will 161W increase or decrease their broadcasts to other countries during 1967.
§ Mr. William RodgersI have been asked to reply. Provision is being made for a net increase in broadcasting hours but it is impossible at this stage to provide precise details.
§ Mr. Eldon Griffithsasked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs why the British Broadcasting Corporation's Albanian service is to be abolished.
§ Mr. William RodgersPriorities in overseas information expenditure are always being reviewed in order to permit the continuation and expansion of more important services within the resources available at the time. After full consultation with the British Broadcasting Corporation and consideration of all the factors involved it was decided that there was insufficient ground for continuing the Albanian Service after the end of the present financial year. This question has been looked at again in the light of recent developments but we see no reason to change our decision. The British Broadcasting Corporation's English language services will of course continue to be audible in Albania.
§ Mr. Eldon Griffithsasked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs if he will publish a list of the British Broadcasting Corporation's external services that are to be reduced; and if he will state by how many hours per week in each case.
§ Mr. William RodgersAs part of the redeployment of our expenditure on broadcasting, the Arabic Service's broadcasts will be reduced from 84 to 70 hours a week and the Albanian Service which at present broadcasts for 31 hours a week will be discontinued.
§ Mr. Eldon Griffithsasked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs what representations he has received from British officials and British Chambers of Commerce abroad about intended cuts in the British Broadcasting Corporation's external broadcasts.
§ Mr. William RodgersHer Majesty's representatives overseas were fully consulted and their advice taken into consideration.
No representations have been received from British Chambers of Commerce.