SNP MP DEMANDS ASSURANCES OVER FUTURE OF GAELIC BROADCASTING

For Immediate Release – Wednesday 27 October 2010



Attn: NEWS DESKS


POLITICAL CORRESPONDENTS


SNP MP DEMANDS ASSURANCES OVER FUTURE OF GAELIC BROADCASTING



TORIES MUST SHOW SOME RESPECT OVER BBC ALBA


SNP MP for Na h-Eileanan an Iar, Angus MacNeil, today (Wednesday) called on the Secretary of State for Scotland to give immediate assurances that BBC Alba would not be adversely affected by the cuts proposed to the BBC’s budget. He also called for BBC Alba to be made available on Freeview without further delay.


Commenting, Mr MacNeil said:

 “The SNP Scottish Government is right behind BBC Alba – it’s now up to the UK Government to make the same commitment.



“Cuts to S4C programming in Wales underline the threat to Gaelic broadcasting in Scotland. The Scottish Secretary must not allow BBC Alba to be treated with similar contempt as its Welsh counterpart.




“It is unacceptable that the BBC is being allowed to drag its heels over broadcasting BBC Alba on Freeview.



“The ConDem coalition came to power espousing a ‘respect agenda’ for Scotland but there has been little evidence of that to date. If the UK Government is serious about treating Scotland with respect, they must start by committing to long term support of BBC Alba.”


ENDS


Notes:


A transcript of Mr MacNeil’s exchange with the Secretary of State for Scotland;


Angus MacNeil: Mr Speaker, BBC Alba manages to be both local and national television. Its funds are already parsimonious – and only able to broadcast for part of the day. Can we get an assurance from Government that this funding, already to the marrow, will be defended and that the yet further delay of putting BBC Alba onto Freeview will be sorted soon?


Under Secretary of State (David Mundell): The Hon Member will be pleased to know I will be visiting the offices of BBC Alba on a visit to the Western Isles on the 5th of November. In respect of the issue on Freeview, that is clearly a matter for the BBC Trust and as I understand it, they have not made a decision yet.