§ Mr. WellsTo ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs whether he is planning to take any action with regard to the licensing regulations which prevent the BBC external services from seeking additional funds from advertising or other sources.
§ Mr. EggarWe have no plans to do so. It is open to the BBC to propose changes to the licence and agreement, but any change in the present funding arrangements of the BBC external services would require very careful consideration, particularly in relation to the BBC's editorial independence and the character of external services' broadcasts.