BBC MONITORING AND LOCAL STATIONS

Early day motion 502, tabled 13 January 2003 by Jane Griffiths (Labour). Signed by 20 members.

That this House acknowledges the serious difficulties faced by those working in the public sector in high-cost areas, especially in the South East of England; applauds the invaluable foreign news and information service provided by the unique resource which is BBC Monitoring, based in Caversham, Reading; recognises that the recruitment and retention difficulties faced by the public sector at large are equally faced by both BBC Monitoring and BBC local stations in the South East of England; and calls upon the Government to put resources in place, notably for the payment of a regional allowance, to ensure that BBC Monitoring and BBC local stations in the South East of England continue to be able to recruit and retain high-quality professional staff, despite the high cost of living.

Signatures by party: Labour 14, Liberal Democrat 4, Conservative 2.