§ Lord Kennetasked Her Majesty's Government:
Whether on earlier occasions Opposition leaders have been consulted over the appointment of the Chairman of the BBC, whether such consultations took place on the most recent occasion, and if not what was the reason for the change of practice.
The Minister of State, Home Office (The Earl of Caithness): While we cannot give a definitive answer on behalf of all previous governments, it has not in recent years been the practice for Opposition leaders to be consulted on the appointment of the Chairman of the BBC.