World service
Sir: I believe the Government is planning to reduce the amount of money it provides to finance the BBC World Service. Probably few people in Britain ever listen to the BBC's overseas broadcasts and therefore the excellence of the service the BBC provides both in English and in many Other languages is not generally knovvn.
With a predominantly news and comment programme twenty four hours a day, the BBC provides information about both Britain and world events in a fair, unbiased way. The r3. BC's presentation is remarkable for its detachment and credibility, in contrast to the overtly propaganda broadcasting of some other nations. At a time when other countries put so much effort into their external broadcasts, it is tragic that Britain should decide to maim its own service which is widely accepted as the best in the World, in order to save a relatively insignificant amount of money. Even Albania produces from Radio Tirana, an English language programme which can be easily received in South East Asia, as do the USSR, USA, India, West Germany, Holland and Communist China.
Without any strain on the British economy whatsoever, the government could easily provide funds, not only to Maintain the existing services, but to improve and extend them. In terms of British influence abroad this would be money very well spent.
Derek P. Collins PO Box 58, Singapore
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