Digital Broadcasting: Gaelic Language

Mr. Spellar
To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport with reference to the answer of 24 October 2007, Official Report, column 329W, on Digital Broadcasting: Gaelic Language, what the outcome was of the BBC Trust’s consideration of the proposals.

James Purnell
On 21 November the BBC Trust provisionally concluded that, while the Gaelic Digital Service could deliver public value, further evidence was needed to demonstrate the service’s educational benefits and appeal to a wider audience. The Trust requested that further evidence should be provided by the BBC Executive before the public consultation on the service closes on 19 December. If that evidence proves satisfactory the Trust would approve the service, subject to certain specific requirements and conditions being met.