BBC World Service

Lord Hannay of Chiswick Excerpts
Tuesday 12th March 2024

(8 months, 2 weeks ago)

Lords Chamber
Read Full debate Read Hansard Text Watch Debate Read Debate Ministerial Extracts
Lord Cameron of Chipping Norton Portrait Lord Cameron of Chipping Norton (Con)
- View Speech - Hansard - - - Excerpts

I think we have a policy of using culture as a diplomatic weapon. The Foreign Office is very comfortable with that. We should do that, and the suggestions that my noble friend makes are excellent.

Lord Hannay of Chiswick Portrait Lord Hannay of Chiswick (CB)
- Hansard - -

My Lords, could the Minister say what considerations are being given in his department to the possibility of the funding of the World Service being taken back on to the FCDO budget in entirety? Does he not agree that this is a more effective and more equitable way to deal with a matter that is an essential part of our soft power, rather than piling it all on to the licence payer?