PARLIAMENTARY EARLY DAY MOTION
TEST MATCH SPECIAL (19 December 2005)

That this House pays tribute to the development of BBC's Test Match Special (TMS) programme over the years to become a much loved institution; congratulates them on their coverage of the recent momentous Ashes series; pays special tribute to the inimitable Henry Blofeld, who was recently recognised as the BBC's most popular cricket commentator topping the latest poll of cricket journalists by Wisden Cricket Monthly; regrets that he was not included in the TMS commentary team which covered England's series triumph at the Oval test match in September and the current tour of Pakistan; hopes to hear this individual national institution broadcast from India on England's forthcoming tour and in the future; further recognises that the TMS's special place in Great Britain's affections comes from the individual character of its commentators and summarisers; and urges the BBC to protect this institution by continuing to draw on the services of broadcasters of the individual quality and character of Henry Blofeld, who are the heirs of the tradition established by John Arlott and Brian Johnston.

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