§ Lord FERRIERasked Her Majesty's Government:
Whether, in view of the Minister's reply to the Lord Gridley's Starred Question on 27th January (Lords Hansard, Cols. 730–731) that the External Services of the BBC will have to bear a share of the financial cuts, they will defer any final decision, at least on the share to be borne by the Overseas Information Programme, until the promised White Paper has been considered by Parliament.
§ Lord GORONWY-ROBERTSThe White Paper containing the Government's general review of planned public expenditure will be published on 19th February and will announce certain reductions. Details of the share of these reductions to be borne by the External Services of the BBC as part of the Overseas Information Programme will be discussed with the BBC after the publication of the White Paper. No doubt there will be an opportunity for Parliament to discuss the terms of the White Paper if it so wishes.