HC Deb 20 October 1971 vol 823 cc708-10
21. Mr. Evelyn King

asked the Minister of Posts and Telecommunications on what date the term of office of the Chairman of the Governors of the British Broadcasting Corporation expires; how many vacancies now exist on the governing body; how long those vacancies have existed; and when it is proposed to make appointments to fill them.

Mr. Chataway

The answer to the first part of the Question is "31st August, 1972". There are three vacancies which occurred on 1st July, 31st August and 30th September respectively, and which I expect will be filled shortly.

Mr. King

Has my right hon. Friend studied the research just published in The Times indicating a majority view that the influence of the B.B.C. now exceeds the influence of Parliament? Does not that create a new situation in which precedent is not necessarily to be followed? Does he accept that the new Chairman of the Governors should, unlike his predecessors, give his full time to the post? Does he also accept in the interests of harmony it might be a good thing to keep any vacancies unfilled until he has had a chance to consult the Chairman-elect?

Mr. Chataway

I saw the figures to which my hon. Friend refers, but I do not agree with the conclusions. I will take account of his observations about the next Chairman. It is important that we should fill the vacancies fairly soon, particularly that of a national Governor for Wales, about which an announcement will be made shortly.

Mr. David Steel

Will the right hon. Gentleman inform the B.B.C. that some of us are concerned that in their attempts to meet those who are trying to put shackles on the B.B.C.'s freedom the Governors should not seek to evade their responsibility by shuffling it off on to a special committee? Will he convey to them that they are the body with authority under the law to deal with complaints from the public and that that should remain the position?

Mr. Chataway

I am satisfied that it is clear to the Governors that it is they who have responsibility and who are answerable to the House.

Mr. Selwyn Gummer

Is it not a fact that the Governors, having undertaken this action, have underlined the contention of many of us that it is impossible to carry out both the function of being guardians of the B.B.C. and the function of representing the staff in the way that they have seen fit to do in the past year?

Mr. Chataway

I do not believe that that is the implication of the action that the Governors have taken. Certainly the Governors accept that they have a responsibility to society as a whole for the way in which the B.B.C. is run and are not simply there in order to manage it efficiently.

Mr. James Hamilton

Does not the right hon. Gentleman agree—and this applies to all Ministers in future—that when looking for chairmen of boards the Government should advertise the posts and ensure that the political persuasion of any applicant is not a barrier to his taking up a certain position? Would not that avoid charges of nepotism and any signs of patronage?

Mr. Chataway

I do not think that there is much to be said for advertising such posts. In filling this post and others we shall be guided only by the desire to get the best men for the job.