BBC WORLD SERVICE AND HUMAN RIGHTS

Early day motion 788, tabled 11 October 2010 by Valerie Vaz (Labour). Signed by 57 members.

That this House considers the BBC World Service to be not only a world-class broadcasting network, but also a lifeline for political prisoners and other suppressed persons; strongly believes that any move to cut this service, for example in Burma, will remove vital access to current and impartial information from those such as Aung San Suu Kyi who have no alternative source of unbiased news; further believes that such cancellation would constitute a failure of the Government to promote or support human rights on the international stage; and urges the Government to strongly oppose any reduction in this important service.

Signatures by party: Labour 41, Liberal Democrat 6, Social Democratic and Labour Party 3, Conservative 2, Plaid Cymru 2, Alliance 1, Independent 1, Scottish National Party 1.