Smith to decide on BBC by January

Chris Smith, Culture Minister, is due to consider two reports on the BBC over the New Year break.

One of the reports, from Gerald Kaufman's Parliamentary Committee, is likely to condemn the privatisation of BBC Resources Limited - a proposal which Kaufman himself has described as "mad".

The other report is being drawn up by a team of consultants sent into the BBC by the Minister to establish whether the Corporation offers the licence-payer good value for money.

Both reports are due to be delivered to Chris Smith before Christmas, and he has promised a decision on privatisation of BBC Resources Limited, and BBC Worldwide, some time in January, after consultation with "other government colleagues".

Since the Gavyn Davies report on the future of the BBC was published in August, BECTU has mounted a campaign against proposals to sell off all of BBC Resources Limited, and 49% of BBC Worldwide.

Two submissions have been presented to the Minister, and a team from the union has given evidence to the Select Committee. The union has focused on the strategic importance of the two threatened sections to the Corporation, and the implications of lost income and higher costs if either area were to be privatised.

Kaufman's report is due to be published on December 20 - there is no indication yet whether the consultants' report to the Minister will be available publicly.