INTERNATIONAL FLEET REVIEW AND THE BBC

Early day motion 445, tabled 28 June 2005 by Nigel Evans (Conservative). Signed by 38 members.

That this House congratulates all those involved in the International Fleet Review to mark the Bicentenary of the Battle of Trafalgar in the Solent on 28th June; notes the presence of 167 ships from 36 countries including the US, France, Spain, India, South Korea, Turkey and Japan; further notes the attendance of more than a quarter of a million spectators who crowded the shore to get a glimpse of this historic event, involving the fly-past of maritime aircraft including the Red Arrows display team, and also to witness the mock Napoleonic battle which took place later in the day; notes with some disappointment that the BBC gave only scant live coverage of this historic event with a hastily arranged half-hour programme which went out before the full inspection took place; further notes that terrestrial viewers were denied watching the entire incredible event live on the BBC, and that no mention was given of this half-hour programme in the Radio Times or newspaper TV schedules; calls on the BBC to undertake an urgent review of its broadcasting policy on major historical events such as the Fleet Review; and calls on the Culture, Media and Sport Select Committee when appointed to investigate the public service obligation of the BBC.

Signatures by party: Conservative 22, Labour 11, DUP 3, Liberal Democrat 2.