Raid of BBC Offices in India

Part of the debate – in the House of Commons at 1:51 pm on 21 February 2023.

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Photo of David Rutley David Rutley Assistant Whip (HM Treasury), Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office) 1:51, 21 February 2023

The hon. Gentleman makes important points about freedom of religion or belief. That is key, and I know it is at the heart of much of what Jim Shannon said in his opening remarks. The SNP spokesperson also talks about funding. As I said in answer to a previous question, the Government have put a package of funding together for the World Service, and the FCDO has provided funding particularly for those four languages I highlighted earlier, because we believe it is vital for the BBC to have that independent voice and to have the reassurance that it can carry on its work.