Scottish Conservatives reject SNP’s mischief-making over BBC Alba.

The Scottish Conservatives have strongly rejected the SNP’s suggestion that a Conservative Government would scrap BBC Alba and described their claims as no more than “mischief making.”

Speaking today Jamie McGrigor, Highlands & Islands MSP, said:

“ Our Culture Spokesman Ted Brocklebank has regular discussions with the Shadow Culture Secretary Jeremy Hunt and there is no change from our declared policy which is support for the Gaelic language.

“We are fully supportive of BBC Alba and are positive about the role it can play in preserving and promoting the Gaelic language. Indeed only the other week in Parliament I spoke out once again in favour of BBC Alba being available on and I will continue to make this argument. Instead of mischief making and trying to make political capital out of a non-story, the SNP should be focusing all their efforts and energy on trying to persuade the BBC Trust to put BBC Alba on Freeview.

Ted Brocklebank MSP, Scottish Conservative Culture Spokesman said:

““ The Scottish Conservatives have a very good record when it comes to supporting Gaelic and this is recognised by the Gaelic speaking community. The then Tory Secretary of State for Scotland, Malcolm Rifkind, provided back in 1990 £8 million annually to set up the Gaelic television fund which has evolved into the current support for BBC Alba.”

ENDs…..

Please see below the transcript of Jamie McGrigor’s question on BBC Alba in the Scottish Parliament on November 5th.

For all further information, please call Jamie’s office on 0131 348 5616

BBC Alba

1. Jamie McGrigor (Highlands and Islands) (Con): To ask the Scottish Executive what representations it will make with regard to the BBC Trust's review of BBC Alba. (S3O-8339)

The Minister for Culture, External Affairs and the Constitution (Michael Russell): The Scottish Government will make it clear to the BBC Trust that we regard BBC Alba as a vital addition to Scottish broadcasting. From the very date of its launch, the Scottish Government has supported the availability of BBC Alba on Freeview—a matter that I have raised repeatedly with the BBC at every appropriate level.

Jamie McGrigor: The minister will be aware that the Scottish Conservatives have consistently argued that BBC Alba should be available on Freeview. Many of my constituents in the Highlands and Islands believe that the issue is one of fairness. Does the minister agree? Will he continue to make the strongest possible case for the availability of BBC Alba on Freeview, given the importance of the channel in sustaining and encouraging our Gaelic culture and heritage?

Michael Russell: Absolutely. Developing and maintaining a critical mass of viewers for BBC Alba requires it to be available on Freeview. There is some concern about some of the BBC Trust's arguments on the issue, which appear to have emerged out of nowhere. We will vigorously support the channel's availability on Freeview. Indeed, I have said on occasions, particularly to the Scottish member of the BBC Trust, that I cannot understand why the decision is taking a year. It should have been made much more quickly.

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