BBC Local Radio Debate

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Laurence Robertson

Main Page: Laurence Robertson (Conservative - Tewkesbury)

BBC Local Radio

Laurence Robertson Excerpts
Wednesday 26th October 2011

(12 years, 6 months ago)

Westminster Hall
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Robin Walker Portrait Mr Walker
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I totally accept my hon. Friend’s point, albeit, as I declared earlier, my sister works in BBC television, so I have to be rather careful about what I say on that front.

Local radio has an unparalleled information-gathering network, which is why it is such a vital resource in times of trouble or crisis, when local knowledge matters.

Laurence Robertson Portrait Mr Laurence Robertson (Tewkesbury) (Con)
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I am sorry to interrupt my hon. Friend again, but may I give a specific example of local radio acting in a time of crisis? During the terrible floods of 2007, when people lost their lives and others lost water and electricity supplies, BBC Radio Gloucestershire was invaluable in providing vital, life-saving information. We lose that service at our peril.

Robin Walker Portrait Mr Walker
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I agree with my hon. Friend completely. I was going to make the point that in the previous debate on this topic, I spoke at some length about the floods in Worcester in 2007. I made exactly the same point about coverage in Worcester.