Question to the Department for Digital, Culture, Media & Sport:

To ask Her Majesty’s Government, further to the Written Answer by Lord Ashton of Hyde on 21 March (HL5834), whether the female candidate who was not approved for appointment by the Secretary of State failed to meet the skills and experience set out in the advertised job descriptions; and if so, whether they have determined that Ofcom was wrong to recommend her as suitably qualified to be appointed.

Non-executive members of the Channel 4 Corporation board are appointed by Ofcom with the approval of the Secretary of State. Ofcom advertised for four vacancies for candidates with specific sector skills and experience. The Secretary of State approved the four candidates on the basis that they met the skills and experience set out in the advertised job descriptions.