Government Response to House of Lords Select Committee on Communications 1st Report of Session 2006-07: The Chairmanship of the BBC Cm7236
The Government is satisfied that the Royal Charter properly defines the BBC's governance arrangements, including the distinctive roles of the Trust and the Executive Board and the position of the Trust Chairman.
The Government believes that existing arrangements for making appointments to the BBC Trust offer sufficient safeguards and independent scrutiny. The Government does not feel it appropriate to prescribe a minimum number of members for the selection panel, although accepts it would be possible to have a panel of five. The Government accepts that the majority of the panel should be “non-political”. The Government recognises the need for an open and transparent process for public appointments, providing it respects the right of individual applicants to confidentiality.
The principle of Ministerial responsibility for public appointments is underpinned by the Ministerial right of choice. The OCPA Code recommends that for each appointment Ministers are offered a choice of appointable candidates. We believe the scrutiny afforded by existing arrangements, which include the involvement of an OCPA trained Independent Assessor throughout, are sufficient. We do not therefore agree that the appointment should be subject to Parliamentary vetting.
The constitution of the BBC, including its relationship with Parliament, was fully considered over the three-year period of Charter review. The understanding on the length of term of appointment was set out in writing in relation to the current Chairman, and will be for future appointees. The Charter makes clear, that of the Executive Board only the Director General can serve as an executive Chairman of the Board.
Select Committee on Communications 1st Report of Session 2006-07: The Chairmanship of the BBC - Cm7236C PDF (523kb)
These documents are available online in Adobe Acrobat (.pdf) format.
Back to main
Back to top