BBC RESOURCES

Early day motion 989, tabled 4 November 1999 by Lord Cryer (Labour). Signed by 34 members.

That this House is gravely concerned that the Davies Report on the future funding of the BBC proposes the privatisation of BBC Resources Ltd; fears that these proposals threaten both the ability of the BBC to continue to produce programmes of world class quality and its position as premier trainer of the industry; notes that the proposed privatisation threatens 4,000 jobs and the break-up of a centre of a world-renowned technical excellence and puts at risk the BBC's ability to react swiftly to the needs of the nation at times of national crisis and other events; believes that the sale of BBC Resources will contribute little to funds needed by the BBC and is irrelevant to the debate about the future funding of the BBC; and further believes that there is no case for the proposal to sell off 49 per cent. of BBC Worldwide and that the BBC should be able to use the profits from the sale of its global programme successes to produce other high quality productions.

Signatures by party: Labour 28, Conservative 2, Labour/Co-operative 2, Liberal Democrat 1, Scottish National Party 1.