HC Deb 14 October 1968 vol 770 cc15-6W
Mr. Biggs-Davison

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether he will specify the increased cultural activity sponsored by Her Majesty's Government in the State of Israel resulting from the freeing of funds by the closing of the British Broadcasting Corporation's Hebrew Service; and what is the expenditure involved.

Mr. Mulley

It is proposed that the savings resulting from the closure of the Hebrew Service shall be used to provide better premises for the British Council in Israel, an extension of English language teaching and more professional and academic visits and exchanges in both directions. The money available for these purposes will be about £14,000 per annum. It has been decided that the remainder of the money saved should be spent on maintaining a small section in the British Broadcasting Corporation to produce material in Hebrew for rebroadcasting by the Israeli radio.