Media: BBC

Lord Hamilton of Epsom Excerpts

Thursday 12th May 2011 Lords Chamber

[Baroness Rawlings]

My noble friend Lord Addington makes a valid point. The Department for Culture, Media and Sport announced in its structural reform plan of July 2010 that the National Audit Office would be allowed full access to the BBC’s accounts for the purpose of value-for-money investigations. This will be achieved by November 2011. It is more important to clarify the details, rather than rushing into implementing the new arrangements before the scheduled date. We are confident that this target will be met.

[Lord Hamilton of Epsom]

My Lords, as the BBC is owned by the licence payers, when can they be told how much the BBC presenters and stars are being paid?

[Baroness Rawlings]

I am sure that, when the time is right, the Secretary of State will announce—