HL Deb 02 July 1996 vol 573 cc93-4WA
Lord Avebury

asked Her Majesty's Government:

Whether they will ask the BBC not to make fundamental changes in the operations of the Overseas Service until both Houses of Parliament have had a full opportunity to consider and debate the restructuring proposals made by the Director General.

Baroness Chalker of Wallasey

We have received assurances from the BBC that the quality of World Service programmes will be unaffected by the proposed new arrangements, that clear separation between the grant-in-aid funded World Service and the BBC's other activities will be maintained, and that we shall be fully consulted on the implications of the proposals for the World Service so that the World Service continues to meet its obligations under the Agreement.