NKD 200
RECEIVER: ~ REGISTRY
INLEX
Mr Reeve
Mr Ratford
Mr Fearn
27 FEB 1987
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LA Broadcasting Abuzle 24/2
FICER
REGISTRY
PA
Action Take)
From:
NJ Barrington
Date:
Cc:
Mek 2/3
Sir D Miers
Mr Gore Booth Planning Staff
Mr Masefield FED
20 February 1987
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13
Heads of all Geographical Depts exc. FED, SEAD, SAD
Mr Escritt Finance Dept
Mr Adams SEAD
Mr Burns SAD
BBC EXTERNAL SERVICES:
1.
PRESCRIPTION COMMITTEE IV
As you know, in accordance with a recommendation in the Perry Review of the BBC External Services, we regularly review the prescription of the External Services to ensure that their output accords with FCO priorities and objectives and represents the most effective use of the grants-in-aid. Prescription Committee meetings were held in December 1984, June 1985 and April 1986. The next meeting has been fixed for 25 February at 3.30 pm.
2. I attach a draft agenda (Annex A) of the topics which I should like to cover, together with a list summarising the present prescription (Annex B). As in the past, we should consider proposals for increases or decreases in hours of services or activities and the possible introduction of new ones, particularly in the light of recommendations made in the context of the Top Management Resource Allocation exercise. We should also review the list of vernacular services in order of FCO priority agreed by the Committee in April 1986 (Annex C). I shall report on the implementation of the current BBC audibility programme and we should consider the BBC's priority proposals to the FAC for capital projects. I shall also bring the Committee up to date on the BBC's proposal for a World Television News Service.
3.
In view of the importance of the BBC External Services to our information effort overseas and in terms of the financial resources devoted to them (£110 m in 1986/7, representing some 60% of our total overseas information Vote and some 20% of the total Diplomatic Wing Vote), I should be grateful if addressees of this minute could give some thought to these issues before the meeting on 24 April. I understand the time is convenient for all
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