BROADCASTING AND EQUAL OPPORTUNITIES

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That this House congratulates Miriam O'Reilly on the outcome of her recent employment tribunal; is hopeful that Miriam O'Reilly and the BBC can move forward from this case; recognises the valuable contribution to broadcasting of O'Reilly and her former Countryfile colleagues Michaela Strachan, Juliet Morris and Charlotte Smith; further recognises that there are many other women, including Olivia O'Leary, Moira Stewart, Anna Ford, Selina Scott, Jenni Murray, Sheena MacDonald, Winifred Robinson, Clare Balding, Libby Purves and others, who provide role models for the younger generation; acknowledges the importance of showing women of all ages on mainstream television; notes that these women have as much gravitas as their male colleagues; and calls on the Government to encourage the BBC and other employers to facilitate and provide women with the same opportunities as men of a similar age currently on screen.