HC Deb 16 January 1996 vol 269 c508W
Mr. Galloway

To ask the Secretary of State for National Heritage if she will require the British Broadcasting Corporation to explain the circumstances in which the news broadcasters of the BBC World Arabic Service were interrupted during coverage of Her Majesty's Government's decision to deport Professor Mohammed al-Masari; and if she will make a statement. [8723]

Mr. Sproat

I understand that the BBC is investigating as a matter of urgency the circumstances surrounding the reported interruptions to BBC Worldwide's Arabic news service. This television service is a commercial venture and it is for the BBC to decide what action to take in the light of its findings.