§ The Earl of Sandwichasked Her Majesty's Government:
Which organisation will make up the Foreign and Commonwealth Office's reduction in funding for BBC Monitoring during the year 2005–06; and what guarantees there are of the continuation of the service in its present form. [HL455]
§ Baroness Symons of Vernham DeanThe £2 million shortfall in the BBC Monitoring's funding for 2005–06 will be made up by £1 million from the BBC Monitoring's reserve fund and £1 million from other stakeholders.
BBC Monitoring is currently the subject of a Cabinet Office-commissioned review. Its future range of services and coverage, funding and governance will be determined by the outcome of that review, which is due to report at the beginning of 2005.