§ Mr. WatsonTo ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will make a statement on the impact on the BBC World Service of using the private finance initiative in the construction of the Oman transmitter; and what proposals he has to deal with the consequences of such a proposal. [11245]
§ Mr. HanleyI refer the hon. Member to the answer I gave on 16 January,Official Report, columns 560–61. The impact on the BBC World Service of successfully applying the private finance initiative would be positive and the consequences would be a matter for discussion with them. The project referred to by the hon. Member is still the subject of detailed negotiations.