TORIES CHALLENGED TO EXPLAIN GAELIC TV STANCE

TORIES CHALLENGED TO EXPLAIN GAELIC TV STANCE

"UNACCEPTABLE THREAT" TO BBC ALBA

Western Isles SNP MSP, Alasdair Allan, has today challenged the Tories to explain reports they plan to scrap BBC Alba the Gaelic television channel, dropping a previous Scottish Conservative commitment to put BBC Alba on Freeview as a matter of urgency.

The call for clarification follows reports in the Daily Mail that Tory Culture spokesperson Jeremy Hunt MP is sceptical about what he calls "niche" channels and may scrap BBC Alba.

Dr Allan commented

"Any threat to BBC Alba is unacceptable. This channel has been long fought for - the Tories can not simply scrap it.

"The Conservatives in Holyrood must clarify their position - do they back BBC Alba being extended to freeview or are they planning to scrap BBC Alba all together. If they want better value and more viewers then BBC alba must go on freeview as soon as possible.

"As usual the Tories have forgotten Scotland and the Scottish Government - who provide much of the funding for the channel.

“It is up to Tories to clarify what their position is as regards the future of BBC Alba. I call on Mr Hunt to explain what he meant by his comments and whether he has bothered to ask the Tories in Scotland for a view on this issue.

“Meanwhile, BBC Alba is reaching to new audiences well beyond people who speak Gaelic. It is essential for any language to have a place in television if it is to have a future and that place should be on BBC freeview.

"Any move by Mr Hunt against BBC Alba is nothing more than a move against Gaelic itself.”