Notes and queries

There are many weeks when I've got no suggestions for Roger Bolton as he questions BBC suits on Radio 4 Feedback. This week he's grilling Tim Davie, Director of Audio & Music, and I've got a few.

The first set are around the inherent DQF contradiction that the Radio 4 budget is being protected, and its ability to run super-special-smashing series is also funded, and yet all its principal suppliers are facing real cuts.

If the Radio 4 budget is protected, why is You and Yours being moved to Salford ?  Why are radio factual programmes being moved from the Mailbox (which apparently stays open for business) to Bristol and Cardiff ? Why are Radio 4 news programmes like Today losing reporters ?  Why are Radio 3 and Radio 4 sharing bulletins ? Why are short stories being cut ?  Why are some weekly current affairs programmes being cancelled ?

Above all, why are all factual and features producers being ask to apply for newly-defined jobs - a bizarre year zero move that suggests real money trouble ?

Second set is around management. When will Radio 4's come down to the Thompson target of 1% ?  There's a real wartime feel to it still.  In the MoD bunker you have First Lord of the Admiralty and Controller Gwyneth Williams, and her commissioners, schedulers and compliance team; in production, you have Field Marshal Graham Ellis, his HQ staff and executive producers/tank commanders; running "news" you have Air Commodore Steve "Silver Fox" Mitchell, and his Wing Commanders of Bulletins, Daily Programmes and Weekly Current Affairs. Then there's the corvettes of Dennis Nowlan and his trail-makers, newsreaders and an-nince-ers - at least they see a microphone most days.

Third is around Longwave. Presumably, the valves and their replacements were in the budget. Who pulled the line for the Replacement of Worn Out Plant, and why ?  Thommo will learn to regret this one.