§ Mr. Arthur Lewisasked the Lord Privy Seal why he has cut the grants to the BBC Overseas Service; to what extent these cuts were due to the high level of salaries being paid; and whether he will make a statement.
Mr. MakerThe FCO grants-in-aid to the BBC external services for the current financial year have not been cut, but issues will be limited so as to apply to the BBC external services the policy on Civil Service pay increases announced by my hon. Friend the Minister of State, Civil Service Department on 22 May in reply to my hon. Friend the Member for Rutland and Stamford (Mr. Lewis). The Government are engaged however in reviewing all aspects of future plans for public expenditure. The conclusions reached will be published, as usual, in the public expenditure White Paper.