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Lord Patten says River City axe rumour 'far-fetched' Lord Patten says River City axe rumour 'far-fetched'
(40 minutes later)
Newspaper speculation that BBC Scotland drama River City could be dropped is "far-fetched", the chairman of the corporation's trust has said.Newspaper speculation that BBC Scotland drama River City could be dropped is "far-fetched", the chairman of the corporation's trust has said.
Lord Patten made his comment ahead of a meeting of members of the trust.Lord Patten made his comment ahead of a meeting of members of the trust.
The corporation is having its budget slashed by a fifth over the next four years, partly as a result of the licence fee being frozen.The corporation is having its budget slashed by a fifth over the next four years, partly as a result of the licence fee being frozen.
BBC Scotland will not be exempt from the savings and there have been rumours that shows like River City could go.BBC Scotland will not be exempt from the savings and there have been rumours that shows like River City could go.
In an interview on BBC Scotland's Good Morning Scotland programme, Lord Patten said that programmes made initially for a Scottish audience would be "seen by audiences elsewhere".In an interview on BBC Scotland's Good Morning Scotland programme, Lord Patten said that programmes made initially for a Scottish audience would be "seen by audiences elsewhere".
He added: "I very much hope that we'll see more dramas being made in Scotland."He added: "I very much hope that we'll see more dramas being made in Scotland."
Lord Patten told presenter Gary Robertson: "I couldn't have spent any time looking at the papers without realising that River City is extremely popular and the BBC should be very pleased it makes programmes as popular as that.Lord Patten told presenter Gary Robertson: "I couldn't have spent any time looking at the papers without realising that River City is extremely popular and the BBC should be very pleased it makes programmes as popular as that.
"I am sure people will have noticed the reaction to some of the slightly far-fetched suggestions about what might happen to it.""I am sure people will have noticed the reaction to some of the slightly far-fetched suggestions about what might happen to it."
When asked if he believed newspaper speculation would prove not to be correct, the former governor of Hong Kong said: "I think that is absolutely true."When asked if he believed newspaper speculation would prove not to be correct, the former governor of Hong Kong said: "I think that is absolutely true."
River City is broadcast weekly on BBC One Scotland and follows the residents of Shieldinch, a fictional suburb of Glasgow.River City is broadcast weekly on BBC One Scotland and follows the residents of Shieldinch, a fictional suburb of Glasgow.
It has been running since September 2002 and attracts an average of 500,000 viewers each week.It has been running since September 2002 and attracts an average of 500,000 viewers each week.
Members of the BBC Trust are meeting at BBC Scotland's Pacific Quay headquarters to discuss the ongoing savings plan.Members of the BBC Trust are meeting at BBC Scotland's Pacific Quay headquarters to discuss the ongoing savings plan.
The corporation has an annual budget of £3.2bn and has made a commitment to finding 16% savings. The corporation has a budget of £3.2bn and has made a commitment to finding 16% savings.
More details about where the axe will fall will be made next month and following a consultation process further details will emerge at the beginning of 2012.More details about where the axe will fall will be made next month and following a consultation process further details will emerge at the beginning of 2012.
Lord Patten said: "We have to find as many of those savings as possible through efficiencies and I reckon we can find the savings to the tune of perhaps just over half [of 16% savings needed]. Lord Patten said: "We have to find as many of those savings as possible through efficiencies and I reckon we can find the savings to the tune of perhaps just over half [of savings needed].
"But we will have to withdraw from some things, not whole services, but from some areas where we won't be able to spend as much money. We will have to focus on the things we do best.""But we will have to withdraw from some things, not whole services, but from some areas where we won't be able to spend as much money. We will have to focus on the things we do best."
He added: "The BBC is almost certainly the best broadcaster in the world - you only have to talk to people in other country's to learn that."He added: "The BBC is almost certainly the best broadcaster in the world - you only have to talk to people in other country's to learn that."
The former Tory MP said that the best of the BBC would be retained but "some the luxuries we had in the past" will go.The former Tory MP said that the best of the BBC would be retained but "some the luxuries we had in the past" will go.