Question to the Scotland Office:

To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland, what steps are being taken to secure the future of Gaelic broadcasting; and what discussions he plans to have with the BBC in ensuring the new BBC Charter delivers additional new programme investment into Gaelic television.

Following the Government’s review of the BBC Royal Charter, for the first time the new Framework Agreement places a formal commitment on the BBC to support Gaelic language services and to support MG ALBA in its work. The BBC and MG ALBA are currently discussing how this commitment will be implemented during the lifetime of the next Charter.