69 % want a Scottish Six

'At the BBC's headquarters in west London, senior staff rarely see the Scottish papers and have no feel for public opinion. The compromise reached with BBC Scotland and announced yesterday had to be hammered out of them, and they simply do not understand why Scots should be so ungrateful.' Matt Wells in the Scotsman, 11 th December 1998.

Scottish Six gains top poll ratings

By Robbie Dinwoodie in the Herald

Of almost 1000 voters asked across the nation, 69% want their main early evening broadcast to be produced in Scotland after the advent of the Scottish Parliament, while just 20% believe the broadcast should continue to be delivered from London.

The poll finding comes as political opinion firms up around support for a "Scottish Six", with Conservatives yesterday adding their voice to calls for this aspect of broadcasting to follow devolution of political power.

The belief in the need for a Scottish Six is particularly marked in the Highlands and Islands, and shows a clear breakdown along party lines, with Conservatives more inclined to support continuation of a London-produced news.

Even among Tory-voters, however, there is a clear majority in favour of a Scottish-produced programme.

The Scottish Conservative leader, Mr David McLetchie, came out in favour of a Scottish Six, saying: "Having initially been cautious about proposed changes to the BBC National news at 6pm and Reporting Scotland at 6.30, I am now persuaded that there is a case for change.

"I have come to this conclusion having held discussions with members of the party in Scotland and having regard to recent statements by BBC Scotland Governors and senior executives."

He claimed: "It is time to empower the wealth of talent and enthusiasm available at BBC Scotland and encourage and support them in their efforts to provide Scotland with a news service which takes into account the fundamental changes a Scottish Parliament will make."

The SNP chief executive, Mr Michael Russell, said of The Herald poll last night: "The overwhelming evidence now is that Scottish viewers want a Scottish Six and the BBC risks a meltdown in audiences unless it pays attention to viewers and listeners, exactly as the Prime Minister rather hypocritically suggested they should."

The Liberal Democrats have also come out in favour of a Scottish Six, leaving only elements of the Labour Party in favour of the status quo.

Scottish Secretary Donald Dewar is known to be in favour of broadcast news decision-making being devolved, but other Scots in the Cabinet are understood to be hostile to the change. - Dec 4