Oral Answers to Questions

James Cleverly Excerpts
Tuesday 22nd January 2019

(5 years, 10 months ago)

Commons Chamber
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Jeremy Hunt Portrait Mr Hunt
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If we have not, we should.

James Cleverly Portrait James Cleverly (Braintree) (Con)
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I am pleased that the United Kingdom has regained its No. 1 spot in the Portland soft power top 30, particularly because we overtook France in order to do so. Although not every element of our soft power is under my right hon. Friend’s Department’s control, will he ensure that organisations such as the British Council and the BBC World Service are well funded and able to project our soft power globally as we leave the European Union?

Jeremy Hunt Portrait Mr Hunt
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My hon. Friend is right to mention those organisations; they do a very important job. I actually think that the role of the BBC in providing impartial news across the world is very underestimated; that is an area in which we could do much better.