BBC NEWS COVERAGE IN SCOTLAND

Early day motion 754A1, tabled 1 February 2002 by Annabelle Ewing (Scottish National Party). Signed by 6 members.

leave out from 'House', to end and add 'supports a 'Scottish Six' main evening BBC television news bulletin, produced and edited in Scotland rather than London, which would mix an appropriate blend of Scottish, UK and international news, similar to the excellent format of BBC Radio Scotland; notes that the Broadcasting Council for Scotland are in favour of a 'Scottish Six', that 51 BBC Scotland journalists have publicly supported this important broadcasting reform, and that opinion surveys show that a 'Scottish Six' is supported by 69 per cent. of the people of Scotland; believes that it is absurd that in post-devolution Scotland, viewers north of the Border are still subject to London-based stories about English health and education issues, which are very often misleading for a Scots audience, while Scottish health and education are ignored by the BBC's metropolitan output; and expresses astonishment that the honourable Member for Glasgow Cathcart should describe Scottish-based news programming in the Herald of 1st February as 'parochial', regarding this as a slur on the professionalism, editorial judgement, and abilities of BBC Scotland journalists and management.'.

Signatures by party: Scottish National Party 3, Plaid Cymru 2, Labour 1.