§ Mr. HowardTo ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will make a statement on the future of the BBC World Service. [34611]
§ Mr. FatchettThe BBC World Service is an important national asset and makes a vital contribution to the promotion of Britain abroad. We are committed to the maintenance of its outstanding reputation for objective news and comment and continued pre-eminence among international broadcasters.
§ Mr. HowardTo ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs (1) if he will list his meetings with the Chinese Government where the jamming of BBC World Service short wave transmissions to China was on the formal agenda; [34610]
(2) what representations he has made to the Chinese Government concerning the jamming of the BBC World Services short wave transmissions to China. [34612]
§ Mr. FatchettThe BBC have not asked us to take up this matter with the Chinese authorities. We raised the issue of media freedom in our dialogues with the Chinese on human rights. We are also pressing for Chinese signature of the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights, which includes the right to receive and impart information and ideas, of all kinds, regardless of frontiers.