HC Deb 24 October 1979 vol 972 cc204-5W
Mr. Rippon

asked the Lord Privy Seal (1) what effect his proposed reduction in the British Broadcasting Corporation overseas service would have upon broadcasts in the following languages: Hausa, Swahili and Somali;

(2) what effect the proposed reduction in the British Broadcasting Corporation overseas service would have upon the relay station in Singapore;

(3) how many overseas listeners are likely to be lost as a result of the proposed reduction in the British Broadcasting Corporation's overseas services;

(4) in what areas of the world the English language world service will cease to be available if the proposed reduction in overseas services takes place;

(5) what effect the proposed reduction in the British Broadcasting Corporation's overseas services would have upon broadcasts in the following languages: Japanese, Chinese, Vietnamese, Thai, Indonesian, Malay, Hindi, Persian, Urdu, Bengali, Tamil and Nepali;

(6) by what percentage the overseas service will be reduced by the proposed reduction in the British Broadcasting Corporation's overseas services;

(7) how many countries and how many services will be affected by the proposed reduction in the British Broadcasting Corporation's overseas services;

(8) in what areas of the world the British Broadcasting Corporation's vernacular broadcasting will cease if the proposed reduction in overseas services take place.

Mr. Blaker

As I promised in the House on 26 July—[Vol. 971, c. 415]—discussions have taken place between officials of the Foreign and Commonwealth Office and the management of BBC external services to minimise the repercussions of any cuts. An announcement about the effects of the Government's public expenditure review on the BBC external services will be made in due course.

Mr. Rippon

asked the Lord Privy Seal what representations he has received from overseas about the proposed reduction in the British Broadcasting Corporation's overseas service.

Mr. Blaker

Over 50 letters from overseas have been received by Foreign and Commonwealth Office Ministers.