§ 25. Mr. Lawrenceasked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what will be the allocation from his Department's budget for 1985–86 to the 518W external services of the British Broadcasting Corporation; and if he will indicate the criteria which he has applied in determining that figure.
§ Mr. RentonThe total allocation for external broadcasting for 1985–86 will be approximately £110 million. This sum includes the cost of relay stations operated by the Foreign and Commonwealth Office on behalf of the BBC external services.
This amount has been arrived at on the basis of the planned expenditure on the 10-year audibility programme announced in 1981 and estimated running costs of the broadcasting services prescribed by the Foreign and Commonwealth Office, taking into account the financial resources available to the Foreign and Commonwealth Office.
§ 73. Mr. Wallaceasked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what representations he has received since 22 November on the future of the external services of the British Broadcasting Corporation.
§ Mr. RentonWe have received no formal representations on this subject, but we are aware of the concern in the House and among the public that the British Broadcasting Corporation's level of broadcasting should be maintained.
§ 74. Mr. Alan Howarthasked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what plans he has to act on the findings of the report he has recently received on the efficiency and effectiveness of the British Broadcasting Corporation external services.
§ Mr. RentonI have nothing to add at this stage to the reply I gave to the right hon. Member for Morley and Leeds, South (Mr. Rees) on 16 November.