Written question asked by Lord Alton of Liverpool (Crossbench), in the House of Lords. It was answered by Lord Howell of Guildford (Conservative) on Tuesday, 1 March 2011.

BBC: World Service

Question: To ask Her Majesty’s Government whether, following developments in Egypt, they will ask BBC Arabic in the BBC World Service to reconsider their decision to close radio operations in Cairo, to reduce live news output on BBC Arabic television and radio, and to discontinue 40 journalistic posts.

Answer: Under the broadcasting agreement between the Foreign and Commonwealth Office and the British Broadcasting Corporation (BBC) World Service, the BBC World Service has managerial integrity and independence, except in the case of opening or closing a language service. Therefore, for those language services which will continue, it is for the BBC World Service to decide how it will allocate the funds within its budget. However, given the current circumstances, we stay in close contact with the BBC World Service on the question of the Arabic service. We recognise the valuable work that the Arabic service has done in covering the recent events, and are in discussion with the BBC World Service about whether there are also ways the service in Arabic can be supported over the next few months.

Secondary information

Type: Written question
Reference: 6596; 725 c293WA
Session: 2010-12
Subjects: Closures Radio Television BBC World Service Egypt BBC Arabic Service
Link: View this Written question on www.publications.parliament.uk