BBC: Independence

Lord Pearson of Rannoch Excerpts

Monday 6th June 2016 Lords Chamber

[The Earl of Courtown]

My Lords, I think the noble Lord refers to the distinctiveness issue that is in the BBC’s new mission. I draw the attention of the House to the mission:

“To act in the public interest, serving all audiences with impartial, high-quality and distinctive media content and services that inform, educate and entertain”.

The noble Lord mentioned another point towards the end of his question to which I do not have the answer. I will write to him.

[Lord Pearson of Rannoch (UKIP)]

My Lords, do the Government agree that the important thing is to make sure that the new board is composed of genuinely independent people, which it will not be if the same sort of people are appointed in the same old way by the same old establishment? Therefore, what do the Government think of the suggestion that the board, or a proportion of it, should be elected by the licence fee payers?

[The Earl of Courtown]

My Lords, I think that the noble Lord or somebody else mentioned that point when we previously discussed this issue. As I have said, the appointment process for board members will follow OCPA guidance and public sector best practice. The majority of board members will be put forward by the BBC.