§ Mr. Gordon PrenticeTo ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what criteria he uses to measure the efficiency and effectiveness of the BBC World Service.
§ Mr. Lennox-BoydThe Foreign and Commonwealth Office and the World Service regularly review the performance and cost-effectiveness of World Service broadcasts in meeting agreed objectives and targets. The main factors are the audibility of broadcasts, the size and profile of their audiences and the impact and influence of programmes.
§ Mr. Gordon PrenticeTo ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what assessment he has made of the benefits accruing to Britain from the introduction of the BBC World Service Television.
§ Mr. Lennox-BoydWe welcome the success of BBC World Service Television in bringing high-quality British TV news reporting and other programmes to international audiences over an increasing area of the world. Reports from various sources, including our diplomatic missions, indicate that WSTV news and current affairs broadcasts are making a significant contribution to Britain's standing abroad.