That this House congratulates the success of the World Service on attracting record numbers of listeners; further congratulates the BBC on helping to promote democracy and British culture throughout the world; and applauds the decision to establish a BBC World Service television channel in the Arab-speaking world.

That this House congratulates the success of the World Service on attracting record numbers of listeners; further congratulates the BBC on helping to promote democracy and British culture throughout the world; and applauds the decision to establish a BBC World Service television channel in the Arab-speaking world.

That this House expresses concern at the closure of the BBC Thai Service on 13th January 2006; notes the widespread unease regarding the ending of the service which first broadcast in 1941 and which has resulted in a petition from Thailand to the Foreign and Commonwealth Office; further notes that all recent reputable surveys such as `Reporters Without Frontiers' have downgraded Thailand in the press freedom league thus underlining the importance of the BBC Thailand Service; is encouraged by the recent doubling of the audience for the service; further notes the admission by the BBC World Service that the decision to close the station, which operated on an annual budget of ??800,000, was the most difficult of its recent decisions concerning closures; and calls upon the Foreign and Commonwealth Office and the BBC World Service to review the decision and also requests the Inter-Parliamentary Union delegation of Members of Parliament visiting Thailand in February 2006 to investigate the issue.

That this House expresses concern at the closure of the BBC Thai Service on 13th January 2006; notes the widespread unease regarding the ending of the service which first broadcast in 1941 and which has resulted in a petition from Thailand to the Foreign and Commonwealth Office; further notes that...

That this House expresses its concern at the decision of the Government and the BBC to close the Bulgarian, Croatian, Czech, Greek, Hungarian, Polish, Slovak, Slovene, Kazak and Thai language services and to downgrade other services in Hindi and those serving Brazil; believes that at its best the BBC World Service can challenge corruption, expose human rights abuses and promote democratic values; further believes that to measure such concepts purely in terms of audience numbers and financial considerations does not do justice to their importance; notes that such measures may reduce British influence in key parts of Europe and the rest of the world; and therefore calls on the Government to review the decision to close the services and to provide adequate resources to maintain current services.

That this House expresses its concern at the decision of the Government and the BBC to close the Bulgarian, Croatian, Czech, Greek, Hungarian, Polish, Slovak, Slovene, Kazak and Thai language services and to downgrade other services in Hindi and those serving Brazil; believes that at its best the BBC World...

That this House notes the conclusion of an unprecedented season of special HIV/AIDS programming across 43 language and online services by the BBC World Service; welcomes the access to knowledge and information, which can save lives and change attitudes, which the World Service has made available to around 150 million listeners; and further welcomes comments made by Professor Richard Feachem, the Head of the Global Fund to fight AIDS, Tuberculosis and Malaria, who described the BBC World Service's efforts as 'probably the biggest, boldest and most impactful broadcasting response to the global challenge of AIDS yet mounted, which as brought huge credit to the BBC around the world'.

That this House notes the conclusion of an unprecedented season of special HIV/AIDS programming across 43 language and online services by the BBC World Service; welcomes the access to knowledge and information, which can save lives and change attitudes, which the World Service has made available to around 150 million...

That this House is strongly concerned that well over a million devoted listeners to BBC World Service will be abandoned on 1st July by the BBC's ill considered proposal to drop its short wave service to North America and the Pacific, including Australia and New Zealand; urges the BBC urgently to reconsider its decision and the Foreign and Commonwealth Office to persuade it to do so, so as to maintain services to these crucial areas and keep Britain's voice speaking loud and clear to the devoted elite audience reached by short wave transmissions who want and need a news and current affairs service which is of great value not only to them but to Britain's reputation and standing overseas; notes that the service cannot be adequately replaced by the BBC website's very limited capacity; and urges that full consideration be given by the BBC and the Foreign and Commonwealth Office to the compelling arguments against the decision developed on the website www.savebbc.org, which effectively demolishes the BBC's entire case for the penny pinching folly of abandoning a devoted audience with a real interest in Britain.

That this House is strongly concerned that well over a million devoted listeners to BBC World Service will be abandoned on 1st July by the BBC's ill considered proposal to drop its short wave service to North America and the Pacific, including Australia and New Zealand; urges the BBC urgently...

That this House regrets any plan to reduce the breadth of output of BBC World Television which is now available in 160 million homes worldwide; believes that BBC World Television has demonstrated its importance during the conflicts in Kosovo, East Timor and Chechnya as a source of fair and accurate information watched throughout the world; believes that, as such, BBC World Television acts as an ambassador for Britain; and therefore urges the Government to enter into discussions with the BBC to avert these proposed cuts in resources and personnel, and to find a secure basis of funding for BBC World Television in the future.

That this House regrets any plan to reduce the breadth of output of BBC World Television which is now available in 160 million homes worldwide; believes that BBC World Television has demonstrated its importance during the conflicts in Kosovo, East Timor and Chechnya as a source of fair and accurate...

That this House deplores any plan by the BBC to reduce its foreign language programmes at a time when the Government has increased the World Service budget; believes that the World Service is an extraordinary asset and ambassador for Britain; is deeply concerned by the lack of consultation by the BBC; and calls on the Government to enter discussions with the BBC to avert these proposed cuts.

That this House deplores any plan by the BBC to reduce its foreign language programmes at a time when the Government has increased the World Service budget; believes that the World Service is an extraordinary asset and ambassador for Britain; is deeply concerned by the lack of consultation by the...

That this House notes with concern the proposed re-organisation of the BBC and in particular the potential impact on the World Service; recognises that the huge international following the World Service has built up is of great benefit to Britain's image abroad and has been achieved through the independence of the excellent programme makers at Bush House; further recognises that the World Service in English and the language services are inextricably linked; and calls on the BBC Chairman and Board of Governors to guarantee that the distinctive nature of World Service programming with its unrivalled reputation for impartiality will not be impaired by any organisational changes and that costs to the service will not rise as a result of them; urges them to continue to accord the World Service the highest priority in their deliberations, recognising that it is a jewel in the BBC's crown; and calls on the Government also to recognise the unique value of the World Service and to make proper financial provision for it.

That this House notes with concern the proposed re-organisation of the BBC and in particular the potential impact on the World Service; recognises that the huge international following the World Service has built up is of great benefit to Britain's image abroad and has been achieved through the independence of...

That this House urges the Government to seek the exclusion of the World Service from the BBC's corporate restructuring plans which, if implemented, will end the status of the BBC World Service as a fully integrated international broadcaster and weaken its editorial independence.

That this House urges the Government to seek the exclusion of the World Service from the BBC's corporate restructuring plans which, if implemented, will end the status of the BBC World Service as a fully integrated international broadcaster and weaken its editorial independence.

That this House agrees with the assessment given by Sir John Coles, permanent Secretary Foreign and Commonwealth Office to the Foreign Affairs Committee on Wednesday 10th May that the BBC World Service is 'an immenseley important instrument' in terms of the promotion of Britain and of the English language overseas, and that it remains 'a very important instrument in our global policy'; reaffirms this House's support for the BBC World Service as recognised in Early Day Motion No. 1780 of the 1992-93 session which secured the signatures of 408 honourable Members, the third largest EDM since 1939; expresses the hope that the current negotiations will be successful in securing their financial future for their next triennium; congratulates Michael Williams, currently co-ordinator of the Public Affairs Office of the BBC World Service who retires on 31st May after years of sterling service for the BBC, for the friendly and ever helpful way he has maintained contact with and kept informed honourable Members and members of the House of Lords, on the needs of BBC World Service; and takes this opportunity to mark his retirement with our thanks for a job 'well done' and wishes him 'all the very best' for the future.

That this House agrees with the assessment given by Sir John Coles, permanent Secretary Foreign and Commonwealth Office to the Foreign Affairs Committee on Wednesday 10th May that the BBC World Service is 'an immenseley important instrument' in terms of the promotion of Britain and of the English language overseas,...

That this House, mindful of the part played by the BBC World Service in reporting events truthfully and accurately, and establishing Britain as the fount of accurate and unbiased news, and being aware of the lead Britain has established in international broadcasting which should be consolidated, so that Britain plays to one of its proved strengths in the Twenty First Century, views with great concern current proposals to reduce the grant-in-aid which will diminsh Britain's capacity to capitalise on the considerable credibility built up by the BBC World Service over many years.

That this House, mindful of the part played by the BBC World Service in reporting events truthfully and accurately, and establishing Britain as the fount of accurate and unbiased news, and being aware of the lead Britain has established in international broadcasting which should be consolidated, so that Britain plays...