GAELIC television faces a reduction of more than a quarter of its

programmes if a cut in its funding by the Government is allowed to go

ahead.

MPs were told by campaigners yesterday that a cut by the Scottish

Office in funding to the production of Gaelic television would mean a

loss of more than 50 hours of programmes.

Mr Roy MacIver, the chairman of the Gaelic Television Committee -- set

up two years ago to make Gaelic programmes -- said recent cuts in

funding would not be felt until next year because an existing stockpile

of good-quality programmes was still being used.

However, plans to make more drama and introduce Gaelic comedy would

have to be shelved because the Secretary of State for Scotland, Mr Ian

Lang, had cut grants to Gaelic television from #9.5m to #8.7m.

Programme makers all across Scotland had expected an increase in

grants because of the perceived success of the Gaelic service.

CTG argued yesterday that the cuts meant that it would be unable to

meet its obligations -- set out in the 1990 Broadcasting Act -- that it

provides up to 200 hours of Gaelic television in Scotland each year.