MINUTES OF PROCEEDINGS RELATING TO THE
REPORT
WEDNESDAY 13 MARCH 2002
Members present:
Mrs Irene Adams, in the Chair
| Mr Alistair Carmichael |
Mr John Lyons |
| Mr Peter Duncan | Ann McKechin
|
| Mr Eric Joyce | Mr Mohammed Sarwar
|
| Mr Mark Lazarowicz | Mr Michael Weir
|
The Committee deliberated.
Draft Report, (Post Devolution News and Current Affairs Broadcasting
in Scotland), proposed by the Chairman, brought up and read.
Ordered, That the draft Report be read a second time, paragraph
by paragraph.
Paragraphs 1 to 38, read and agreed to.
Paragraph 39 read, as follows:
'The task we set ourselves was to review the post-devolution
news and current affairs arrangements for broadcasting in Scotland.
It quickly became clear how much improved was the provision by
the BBC with regard to the Scottish content. Prior to devolution
the Scottish dimension in national news had been barely noticeable.
We were reassured by the BBC about the level of contact between
Glasgow and London which was now apparent. But, whilst noting
the lack of interest in the south of England in the Scottish Parliament,
we would urge the BBC to include additional items in its news
bulletins which reflect the progress of devolution. It is simply
not balanced, reasonable or fair merely to report the sensational
aspects of Scottish politics or policy areas where there might
be some contradiction with developments in other parts of the
UK. The evidence from the BBC clearly showed that there was no
technical reason why a news programme mixing international, UK-wide
and Scottish news made and edited in Scotland could not be produced,
although some practical difficulties were identified.'
Amendment proposed in paragraph 39, at end to add the words 'and
we believe that such a programme should be produced'.—(Mr Michael
Weir.)
Question put, That the Amendment be made.
The Committee divided.
| Ayes, 2 | Noes, 5 |
| Mr Alistair Carmichael | Mr Eric Joyce
|
| Mr Michael Weir | Mr Mark Lazarowicz
|
| Mr John Lyons |
| Ann McKechin |
| Mr Mohammed Sarwar |
Paragraphs 40 to 49 read and agreed to.
Resolved, That the Report be the Third Report of the Committee
to the House.
Ordered, That the Chairman do make the Report to the House.
Ordered, That the provisions of Standing Order No.134 (Select
Committees (reports)) be applied to the Report.
[Adjourned till Wednesday 20 March at Ten
o'clock
| 
