BBC WORLD SERVICE

Early day motion 1356, tabled 26 January 2011 by John McDonnell (Labour). Signed by 68 members.

That this House is shocked at the announcement that hundreds of jobs and services are to be lost as a result of Government cuts to BBC World Service funding; notes that up to 650 jobs will go under the plans, five language services will be closed and others will be scaled back; further notes that the BBC World Service is a quality broadcasting service which is successful and internationally respected; commends the National Union of Journalists in its campaign to defend jobs and quality broadcasting at the BBC World Service; believes that the BBC World Service is a leading voice in international broadcasting and is a voice for challenging corruption, exposing human rights abuses and promoting democratic values; further believes that these cuts will be damaging for objective and quality news services around the world; and calls on the Government to review funding to the BBC World Service to maintain this quality broadcasting service and jobs.

Signatures by party: Labour 51, Liberal Democrat 6, DUP 4, Plaid Cymru 3, Social Democratic and Labour Party 3, Green 1.