Letter to Professor Jaran Ditapichai,
The National Human Rights Commission of Thailand, from the Chairman
of the Committee
Thank you for your letter of 30 November, about
the decision of the BBC World Service to close its vernacular
broadcasts to Thailand.
The Foreign Affairs Committee has taken a close
interest in the BBC World Service's plans to restructure its services.
Last month, I and my colleagues questioned the Director of the
World Service, Nigel Chapman, in great detail about these plans.
We also put questions to the Permanent Under-Secretary of the
FCO, Sir Michael Jay, when he appeared before us in October. Full
transcripts of both sessions may be seen at: www.publications.parliament.uk/pa/cm/cmfaff.htm
The Committee is now preparing its Report on
these and other matters relating to FCO-funded expenditure. We
will consider the Report in the New Year. I cannot, therefore,
pre-empt that Report by commenting on the substance of the matters
you raise, but I can promise that what you say will be noted and
I will ensure that your comments are fed into the process of writing
the Report.
Mike Gapes MP
Chairman of the Committee
8 December 2005
|
